Murray thought Nuggets might trade him after ACL tear

After Jamal Murray tore his ACL in April 2021, he initially feared the Denver Nuggets would move on from him because of the injury.

"Are you going to trade me?" the guard asked head coach Michael Malone the next day, Malone told The Athletic's Jason Quick.

Murray says there was a lot going through his head in the immediate aftermath of his injury.

"I mean, that wasn't my only thought," Murray said. "There were so many doubts: Am I going to be different? Am I going to play the same? Am I going to be worth it? So … being traded was one thing on my mind."

Malone says the Nuggets never considered dealing Murray.

"That’s where his mind was: Maybe I'm damaged goods; maybe they don’t want me anymore," Malone said. "Obviously, I quickly shot that down and said 'We love you; I love you. You are not being traded. You are going to come back a better player, there is zero doubt in my mind.'"

Murray missed the entire 2021-22 campaign while recovering from his ACL tear. Prior to the injury, he was averaging 21.2 points and shooting 47.7% from the field in 2020-21, both career bests.

The 25-year-old has been inconsistent since returning to action, averaging 17.8 points and 5.1 assists but shooting just 42.9% from the field - his least efficient mark since his rookie season.

But in Thursday's 121-120 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Murray knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining, capping off a fourth quarter in which he scored 14 points. The Canadian says it was an encouraging moment as he looks to return to form.

"It's been a grind, and just to have this moment … I don't want to get too high, too low, but this is another step in my progress," Murray said.