Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Dejounte Murray, Spurs Agree to 4-Year, $64M Contract Extension Before Deadline

Rob Goldberg

The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a four-year extension with point guard Dejounte Murray worth $64 million guaranteed and up to $70 million in incentives, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Murray also reportedly signed a multi-million dollar endorsement deal with New Balance Monday, per Charania.

The 23-year-old averaged 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 2017-18 but missed the entire 2018-19 season due to a torn ACL. He returned for preseason games this month and appears to be close to full strength heading into 2019-20. 

This deal provides some security for a player coming off a major injury and also represents a significant salary increase compared to the $2.3 million owed this season.

As the No. 29 overall pick in 2016, Murray has exceeded expectations by landing a high-priced second contract.

However, the Spurs also get great value for a player they consider a "cornerstone," per Charania. Several agreed with the potential steal the organization received from this deal:

Even with limited offensive production so far in his career, Murray has proved to be an elite stopper on the perimeter. He was named second-team All-Defense in 2017-18 after ranking fifth in the league in defensive rating, per Basketball Reference.

He's already showed this preseason he can be a difference-maker defensively:

If he can continue to progress on the offensive end, Murray can far exceed his new contract.

Meanwhile, New Balance lands a player on the rise one year after signing Kawhi Leonard. The Los Angeles Clippers star was also coming off an injury-filled season at the time before taking over down the stretch and eventually winning NBA Finals MVP with the Toronto Raptors.

Murray doesn't have quite as good of a resume as Leonard, but he helps build the shoe company's profile within the NBA.

   

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