The Denver Nuggets are just three years removed from winning an NBA championship, the franchise’s first in nearly four decades.
One of the leaders of that championship team was Jamal Murray, who is currently under a four-year, $207,845,568 maximum contract extension with the Nuggets.
With all the accomplishments and money he has amassed, Murray revealed one way he stays humble to keep his drive in the sport.
According to Murray, he sleeps on air mattresses to remain down-to-earth and make himself appreciate his blessings in life.
“I don’t really look at money like that. I’m a pretty humble guy,” he said in his appearance in the All The Smoke podcast. “When I go home, I actually sleep on an air mattress to keep my mental, to know where I’m coming from.”
“I don’t really look at money like that. I’m a pretty humble guy. When I go home, I actually sleep on an air mattress to keep my mental, to know
Nuggets Star Jamal Murray Wants To Be A Good Example
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 30: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets warms up prior to a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Murray said he wanted to be a good example for his little brother. The Nuggets star wants his brother to realize that being humble is paramount to their family.
“I got a little brother that’s watching me as well. I don’t want him to see that you can get whatever you want, but you don’t take it because of why,” Murray said. “There’s certain things you have to learn and go through, and I’m trying to teach him at the same time, teach myself, that money isn’t everything. If I didn’t have any of it, I’d still be the same person I am today.”
Murray, the seventh overall pick of the Nuggets in the 2016 NBA Draft, has earned over $218 million in career NBA salary with the Nuggets.
His current deal pays him an average annual salary of about $51.9 million through the 2028-2029 season.
Now entering his 10th NBA season, Murray is expected to remain an elite scorer for the Nuggets to backstop three-time NBA MVP and all-time great Nikola Jokic.
During the 2025-2026 NBA regular season, Murray played 75 games for the Nuggets, averaging 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in 35.4 minutes per game while shooting 48.3% from the field.
Denver Nuggets Expect Improvement For Everyone This Offseason
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 05: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives around Nikola Jokic #15 against Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on December 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman expects everyone, including Jamal Murray, to be a better player next season after their first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Everybody has a responsibility to get better at that stuff and fill that hole,” Adelman said in his end-of-season media availability. “Because the expectation can’t just be Aaron’s going to play 82, it can’t be that Nikola’s going to play 82 or Jamal.”
“Denver has to adapt to the league ’cause the league has adapted to us. And that’s a testament to how great Nikola’s been, how great Jamal’s been, coaching staff, over the years. They’re going to pressure us, and that’s just a constant at this point,” he added.
Murray struggled with his shooting efficiency during the Nuggets’ short playoff run this year, averaging 23.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over six games as the Nuggets were eliminated by the Timberwolves.
Murray is expected to be back for vengeance next season as the Nuggets look to rekindle their championship hopes on the backs of him, Jokic, Gordon, and a new-look supporting cast that includes DeMar DeRozan.
Denver Nuggets $207 Million Star Sleeps On Air Mattress To Stay Humble