Jamal Murray has established himself as a key piece of the Denver Nuggets, playing a major role in the team’s success alongside Nikola Jokić. That sense of responsibility appears to extend beyond the basketball court as well.
A resurfaced video of the Nuggets star highlighted his approach to his personal life, but Murray has since offered some clarification on the conversation.
Jamal Murray Reveals Truth About Viral Air Mattress Story
Murray addressed the buzz surrounding his previous comments about his modest lifestyle, which he originally discussed in a 2022 interview. At the time, he explained that he deliberately chose to keep his life grounded and simple despite earning millions of dollars throughout his NBA career.
“I don’t really look at money like that. I’m a pretty humble guy,” Murray said on the “All the Smoke” podcast. “When I go home, I actually sleep on an air mattress to keep my mental, to know where I’m coming from”
Murray also revealed that having a younger brother influenced the way he approached money and luxury. He did not want his brother to grow up believing that having money meant getting everything they wanted.
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Murray acknowledged that there are certain lessons his brother needs to learn and experiences he needs to go through, adding that he is trying to teach his brother while learning those lessons himself. For Murray, one of the biggest messages is that “money isn’t everything.”
Though Murray still maintains a relatively modest mindset, he took to X recently to clarify that the air-mattress part of the story is no longer current.
“This clip was 4 years ago.. parents renovated and added a bed.. but still challenge myself in other ways 🙏🏽 God bless!” he tweeted.
This clip was 4 years ago.. parents renovated and added a bed.. but still challenge myself in other ways 🙏🏽 God bless! https://t.co/65riiClZbY
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) August 24, 2026
The Nuggets selected Murray in the 2016 NBA Draft and he has since become their second-most important player after Jokić. Murray’s financial situation certainly allows him to live lavishly, as he agreed to a four-year, $208 million maximum contract extension in 2024. For the 2026-27 season, Murray is scheduled to earn a base salary of $50,105,628, according to Spotrac.
With that kind of financial security, Murray could easily afford a luxurious lifestyle. Instead, his approach has been to remain economical and to avoid letting his wealth change his mindset, even if he is not as skimpy as people may have previously thought.
That philosophy also brings to mind the story of former Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton. Stockton has previously discussed why some former NBA players struggle financially after their careers.
He pointed out that many NBA players come from modest backgrounds, with some growing up with very little. When those players suddenly receive a massive paycheck, it can be tempting to spend heavily because they have never had access to that kind of money before.
Stockton also said spending the money is the easy part, but the difficult part is recognizing the warning signs when financial trouble begins to emerge and taking action before it is too late.
That perspective makes Murray’s approach even more understandable. He has steadily climbed the NBA ladder, and his effort to stay grounded despite his enormous earnings could prove just as valuable as his on-court success.
