West Notes: Nuggets, Jamal Murray, Mavericks, Thunder

Nuggets

Jamal Murray said he is excited to be preparing for the upcoming season after missing the last 18 months with a torn ACL.

“It’s been a learning experience and a test of patience,” Murray told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “Everything happens for a reason. I learned a lot, and I’m excited to be back out there.” 

Murray suffered the injury in a game against the Warriors in April 2021. At the time, he was averaging 21.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Clearly, the Nuggets are a different team without him. And a much better one with him.

“A championship mindset, a winning attitude, and raising everybody’s level of play,” Murray told Scotto on what he has to offer. “That’s what I do best.”

• As we relayed, the Nuggets signed Australian Jack White to their open two-way contract slot. The Nuggets were impressed with White’s rebounding, as well as just his all-around hustle, per Mike Singer of the Denver Post.
• After signing a two-year contract extension, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said he is “just excited to be competing again” following a trade with the Wizards, via Singer.

Mavericks

Reggie Bullock believes that Tim Hardaway Jr. can help make up for the loss of Jalen Brunson, who left for the Knicks.

“Tim’s coming back this year, and he’s a great shooter and outside scorer for us,” Bullock told Scotto. “He went down with an injury, but I know he’s going to be able to come back and be at 100 percent.”

Overall, the Mavericks remain excited after reaching the Western Conference finals in their first season under Jason Kidd. While they lost Brunson, they added center Christian Wood via trade and center JaVale McGee via free agency.

• The Mavericks could be a team with interest in Russell Westbrook if he were to reach a buyout agreement with the Lakers, per Brandon Robinson of Bally Sports. That said, it doesn’t appear as if the Lakers have any intention of buying out Westbrook’s deal at the moment.

Thunder

Former NBA shooting guard J.J. Redick was impressed with what he saw from No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren at the summer league in Las Vegas.

“Watching Chet Holmgren in person was an experience,” Redick said on his podcast. “Right away you are taken aback by his length, his frame.

“But a couple of things jumped out. Even during the pre-draft process and watching him play live. He’s got confidence to his game. He’s got competitiveness to his game. He’s got a really strong belief in self.”

Redick even went as far as mentioning Holmgren in the same breath as Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“He did remind me of a young Giannis,” Redick said. “I hate the comparison because Giannis is one of one and hopefully Chet will become one of one, but watching him move in transition, it reminded me of a young Giannis.”

• In case you missed it, the Thunder signed guard/forward Kenrich Williams to a four-year, $27.2 million contract extension, as relayed by Joe Mussatto of the Oklahoman. The first three years are guaranteed, with a team option in the fourth, Mussatto reported.