Why the Celtics stood pat, for now

Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets are expected to agree to a four-year $209 million maximum contract extension, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The Nuggets will present the extension offer to Murray offically this offseason. Murray is represented by Mike George and Jeff Schwartz. In 2023, Murray was eligible for a three-year, $144 million extension, which he decided not to sign. Calvin Booth went on the record at the start of the 23-24 season that the Nuggets were prepared to sign Murray to a supermax extension if he were to qualify with an All-NBA berth.

Murray is widely considered one of the NBA’s best players to never make an All-Star team. Murray averaged 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 31.5 minutes over 59 games last season.

Trade discussions of Damian Lillard by the Portland Trail Blazers have been slow to materialize as Joe Cronin evaluates the market.

One complicating aspect of the trade is the value of Tyler Herro as the Blazers have signaled they are not interested in taking him back from the Miami Heat. Herro signed a four-year, $130 million extension with the Heat last year.

“I do think, as I talk to teams around the league, there is a framework with Miami where Portland could end up with three, four, at least several first round draft picks,” said Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show. “I don’t know if it will get to four. Miami has two they can trade outright. I think there are multiple teams who would trade at least one first round pick for Tyler Herro.

“So then you’re maybe looking at expiring contracts, potentially three first round picks, maybe more. Maybe other assets, swaps.”

Charania adds that this is a critical week for the Lillard trade discussions considering most of the NBA is in Las Vegas for Summer League.