Mudiay is an enigma and a real question mark facing this franchise. Just a couple months ago he was the appointed future star, the guy we were hanging our hopes on. Now he languishes on the bench, yo-yoed around with a dramatic shift in focus as the Nuggets have suddenly developed one of the best offenses in the league.

First of all, Murray is a much better fit with Jokic than Mudiay. A three point shooting, intensity bringing competitor that lives for combat. Jokic has a quiet burn but Murray let's it flame. Juancho, Murray, Gallo, Chandler, and Harris playing around Jokic will probably break the new three point record of 25 in a game the Cavaliers just set. Jokic is the unicorn this league hasn't seen since Magic Johnson. A point center who comes by triple doubles without his team constantly setting him up for rebounds. Harris is good in a way that will only be exclaimed by the improved level of play of those around him. He's been focused on improving his offense and when the team really puts in work on defense he will be a leader there as well.

So what is Mudiay? A disappointment who will be mediocre at best, a valuable role player, a future star? Right now he's suffering from the shock of starter and future star being relegated to garbage minutes player. The offense at the beginning of the year was Mudiay working around picks and taking what the offense gave him; jumpers, drives or kick-outs. He also spent a lot of time watching Chandler and Gallo go one on one. Part of the reason the Nuggets kept loosing games early was that Mudiay, Gallo, Chandler and Barton kept shooting contested mid-range jumpers. The reason the Nuggets are winning now is a priority on dunks/layups, threes and mid-range jumpers only if that's all that's left. Some experts even say the Rockets and Warriors still aren't shooting enough threes which means the Nuggets aren't either.

He has star level strengths. He's 25th in the league in drives per game. Among rookies and sophomores he's first. He gets past his man and gets to the basket. His overall defense has been shiftless, however the eye test at the beginning of the year showed several times when he stopped someone one on one in the last seconds of a game, either getting a block, stop or an excellent contest. When he locks in and gets engaged he's a force. His catch and shoot game is average but he has already improved it and according to reports he's a great shooter, simply has struggled in games. He is big, strong and athletic. He can cover guards and slow down bigger players enough to disrupt basic plays. This versatility cannot be overemphasized as the league begins to switch more and more.

Here's what the Nuggets, specifically Malone needs to do. Get Mudiay bought into the playoff run. Get him a second unit of guys like Barton, Juancho, Plumlee, Faried and Chandler. Get an identity. Accelerate the pace from fast to Usain. Get some intensity of defense and look to hound some guys full court. Give him the challenge of being an integral part of the team but still a leader and preparing him for the future. Finally get him to play the way of the Nuggets future. No more slow curls around elbow screens. The shot is either at the basket or a three. Shoot every open three with impunity. Give the guy some confidence and let him have some fun at the same time.

This off season there will be multiple teams waiting to steal Mudiay away like the Mavs did with Noel. Since the Nuggets have chosen to make the playoffs they need to maximize value for the guys they already have. I'm not saying Mudiay needs to be a Nugget long term, I am saying he has borderline star gifts and the Nuggets need to show those to the world.