Pacers: Ranking Domantas Sabonis among other 2019 rookie extensions
By Josh Wilson
Dejounte Murray has a high ceiling on a very affordable contract
Four years, $64,000,000 (16,000,000 per year)
Dejounte Murray shoots up to rank at the third-best contract largely due to his price point.
Though his PER among this group is right in the middle of the pack, at $64 million over four years, his average annual value is just $16 million, a price point that is extremely affordable given the potential he has shown and the role he projects to carve out in the coming seasons.
Murray’s playing time went from 21.5 minutes last year to 24.9 minutes this year and his averages increased accordingly. He’s putting up 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
Murray looks ready to make a leap, and as Dylan Carter put it for Air Alamo, his offensive game is really expanding:
"Of the 74 players to take at least 100 mid-range jumpers this season, Dejounte ranks eighth in terms of efficiency at roughly 49 percent. His shot selection is no longer an issue because he can finally be relied upon from any zone. Dejounte is no longer confined to contested layups and floaters since he’s expanded his scoring arsenal."
Murray’s per-game stats don’t look great, but that’s in part due to Gregg Popovich’s desire to ease young players into larger roles rather than launching them right into full responsibility.
Of course, we have to talk about his defense as well. With a 1.5 defensive box plus/minus in his third season, there’s reason to believe Murray can become one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.