1. Improve 3-point shooting
Surely if you asked Dejounte Murray’s teammates what they’d want him to work on, it would have to be shooting. Good 3-point shooting spaces the floor and makes it easier on everyone around a player.
It’s very difficult to be successful in today’s NBA without a 3-point shot, and it’s nearly impossible for a lead guard. Most of the good ones (e.g. Andre Roberson, Tony Allen, Marcus Smart) are incredible defenders, and just let their great defense try to outweigh their poor shooting.
Murray could do that; he’s got the defensive chops for it. However, he shouldn’t try to pigeonhole himself. He can be so much more than a borderline starter who’s only good at one end of the floor. Ben Simmons is a great two-way point guard without a jump shot, but he’s also got at least five inches and 50 pounds on Murray. Emulating him isn’t really an option.
After shooting 26.5 percent from deep on 0.4 attempts per game last year, this is a clear area for improvement. If Murray really wants to be a star someday (and if he wants to make life easier for DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, and the rest of the San Antonio Spurs), then becoming a better 3-point shooter will be his primary goal for this season.