Top 5 NBA Most Improved Player candidates this season

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 01: Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 01, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Top 5 NBA Most Improved Player candidates this season. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

NBA Most Improved Player candidates: Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs

2020-2021 Stats: 15.7 Pts, 5.4 Ast, 7.1 Reb, 1.5 Stl, 0.1 Blk, 45% FG, 31% 3pt, 79% FT

2021-2022 Stats: 21.0 Pts, 9.3 Ast, 8.3 Reb, 2.1 Stl, 0.3 Blk, 46% FG, 32% 3pt, 79% FT

Dejounte Murray is currently in the midst of a career year across the board. The sixth-year guard has capitalized on the increased workload that has been placed upon him due to DeMar Derozan’s departure.

According to Cleaning the Glass, Murray’s usage rate has jumped from 25.5 percent last season to 31.5 percent this year. He’s cemented himself as the clear-cut number one option of the Spurs.

As a result, his production has increased across the board, yet his efficiency has stayed the same. Murray’s biggest improvement has been his playmaking, increasing his assists average by nearly four assists from last year. He is currently sitting in fourth place in this category with 9.3 assists per game while also leading the league in steals with 2.1 steals per game.

His improvement has not gone unnoticed, as he was given the nod to play in his first-ever All-Star game this year. While the team’s direction shifted to a youth movement and saw the departure of a veteran star, the team’s success hasn’t varied much from last year.

With Murray at the helm, the Spurs have officially overthrown the Los Angeles Lakers for the final Play-In spot. As of now, FiveThirtyEight projects the Spurs to finish one game ahead of the Lakers for that final spot, which would give Murray and the Spurs a shot to make the playoffs.