ESPN’s Pelton: Dejounte Murray has ‘potential’ but is a project
Jun 22, 2016, 7:00 AM | Updated: 7:35 am
Washington's Dejounte Murray is congratulated after scoring against Southern California during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Seattle. Washington won 87-85. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
There is a growing possibility that the Phoenix Suns could draft Washington Huskies combo guard Dejounte Murray.
Murray, who was once considered a late first-round pick, has shot up the draft boards and is just one of 16 prospects invited to the attend the NBA Draft on Thursday.
Only the prospects with the best chance to be selected in the lottery are invited into the NBA Draft green room.
Washington guard Dejounte Murray has been invited to the NBA Draft green room, a source told @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 18, 2016
Murray also has the same agent, Rich Paul, as Suns’ point guard Eric Bledsoe and head coach Earl Watson. The Suns brought Murray in for a workout as well.
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, a University of Washington alum, spoke to Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Tuesday about Murray’s immediate impact in the NBA.
“His ability to play point guard at his size (6-foot-5), that’s very exciting. The fact that he was inefficient as a scorer as a freshman is a bit of a concern,” Pelton said. “He’s going to have to develop a great deal as a shooter and improve his decision making. He’s got the potential to do it, he’s got the tools. His shot is not broken. Decent free throw shooter and shot the ball well in stretches of the season. It’s going to take a lot of time in the gym and I think it’ll probably be a few years before he’s actually ready to contribute.”
The Suns hold the fourth, 13th, 28th and 34th picks in the draft. Murray could be picked 13th overall by the Suns, but it would be a surprising choice.
NBADraft.net has Murray going 15th overall to the Denver Nuggets.
In his lone season at Washington, Murray averaged 16.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He shot 41.6 percent from the field, but a lackluster 28.8 percent from three-point range.
