Jamal Murray has every right to be offended by the Nuggets

Things are getting a little shaky between Jamal Murray and the Nuggets. Weeks ago, it was reported that the team had offered the guard a contract extension. But as of this writing, it still hasn’t been signed.

That begs one simple question: why? Especially now that Murray is playing for Team Canada at the Olympics and risking his health, the oft-injured guard is taking a chance.

It seems like a big gamble, one that has raised eyebrows. It has also led to speculation about what is in the deal, with rumors that the Nuggets have inserted workout clauses into the contract due to concerns about Murray’s fitness.

That may have rubbed The Blue Arrow the wrong way. And rightly so, according to Mark Schlereth. The former NFL player railed against the Nuggets this morning during “Schlereth and Evans” on Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan.

“If you’re Jamal Murray, do you feel passed over?” Schlereth asked his co-host, Mike Evans. “Do you feel unloved?”

Evans responded by pointing out that the Nuggets are reportedly offering Murray a four-year, $209 million contract extension. He said that’s a lot of love being shown. But Schlereth disagreed.

“No, that’s not how it works,” the three-time Super Bowl champion responded.

Why?

“There are stipulations in there,” Schlereth explained. “They basically say (Jamal) is unprofessional.”

He goes on to list everything Murray has done for the team. He hit two game-winning shots in the playoffs this season to beat the Lakers. He was crucial in the playoffs last year, when the Nuggets made their title run. And he was crucial in the bubble, when Denver reached the Western Conference Finals.

“They’re basically saying they have to put in sitter clauses,” Schlereth continued. “(Murray) is not Kyler Murray. (He) didn’t earn sitter clauses.”

On the contrary.

“(He) won a world championship in a city that struggled to win for 40 years,” the former NFL offensive lineman added. “(He) was the second most important person on that field.”

According to Schlereth, that alone should be enough to give Murray the benefit of the doubt.

“And now (the Nuggets) want to put babysitting clauses in (his) contract?” he concluded. “I’d be pissed.”

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