Jamal Murray will become the highest paid Canadian athlete ever

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray has a bright future.

And a rich future, too.

Murray is set to become the highest paid Canadian athlete ever after reportedly signing a five-year, $170 million contract extension this weekend.

Denver Nuggets rising star Jamal Murray has agreed to a five-year, $170M maximum contract extension, agent Mike George of OneLegacy tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2019

The new deal will surpass the previous record, set by Andrew Wiggins when he signed a five-year, $148 million contract in 2017. It won’t become official until July 6, when the NBA’s moratorium ends.

Murray’s new contract will begin in 2020-21, after he completes the fourth year of his rookie deal next season, which pays him $4.4 million.

See also

• Canada could put together its best-ever roster for 2019 Basketball World Cup
• Rumours swirl surrounding Kawhi Leonard's decision between Raptors, Lakers, Clippers
• Former Raptors player lists ridiculous reasons to not play in Canada

The 22-year-old Kitchener native will make $34 million per season, which for context, is well ahead of Canada’s highest paid hockey player Connor McDavid, who makes $12.5 million annually from the Edmonton Oilers.

Canada’s highest-paid Major League Baseball player is Joey Votto, who earns a $22.5 million average salary with the Cincinnati Reds.

Murray led the Nuggets to one of the best records in the NBA last season, scoring 18.2 points per game while averaging 4.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists.