San Antonio Spurs pick up fourth year option for Dejounte Murray

The San Antonio Spurs picked up the fourth-year option on Dejounte Murray’s rookie contract to ensure he sticks around through the 2019-20 season.

The San Antonio Spurs have been pleased with Dejounte Murray‘s development ever since they selected him with the 29th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Murray essentially signed a two-year contract worth about $2.5 million after he was drafted, but there were a few options on that contract that could keep him in San Antonio through 2021.

San Antonio exercised an option on Murray’s contract last season, and they have now picked up the fourth-year option on Murray’s deal that will pay him $2.3 million in 2019-20, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Haynes.

The Spurs will have another decision to make next offseason with a fifth-year option on Murray’s contract that would make him a $7 million cap hit.

Picking up the fourth-year option was a no-brainer for an organization that loves Murray’s potential.

More from Air Alamo

• Spurs show remarkable poise against Bulls, unlike many fans
• Devin Vassell is the latest in the Spurs’ collection of silent assassins
• San Antonio Spurs: 5 Players to avoid in any LaMarcus Aldridge deal
• Is Gregg Popovich hiding Luka Samanic as a secret weapon?
• San Antonio Spurs News: More DeRozan trade talk from Chris Haynes

Murray has already become an elite defensive point guard during the first two seasons of his career as he led all players at the position in defensive real plus-minus by a wide margin last year. The former Washington Husky hounded opposing point guards and swiped 1.2 steals in 21.5 minutes per game last season.

Murray still has a long way to go on the offensive end as a he posted an ugly true shooting percentage of 48.5% last year.

He did dish out a solid 2.9 assists per game, but he could definitely improve his passing and overall point guard skills.

However, the Spurs knew they were getting a raw offensive prospect with an NBA-ready defensive game when they drafted Murray, and he still has plenty of time to grow as he just turned 22 years old a week ago.

Want your voice heard? Join the Air Alamo team!

Write for us!

The Spurs are high on Dejounte Murray moving forward, and they put their money where there mouth is by picking up the fourth-year option on his rookie deal.

I’d expect him to be in San Antonio for years to come as he continues to develop into an all-around player.