As the 2017-2018 season moves closer and closer, the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Atlanta Hawks have now exercised their 2018-2019 team options on some their young players. These players included Dejounte Murray, Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyus Jones, DeAndre Bembry, and Taurean Prince.
San Antonio Spurs exercise 2018-2019 team option on Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray was drafted 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs out of the University of Washington during the 2016 NBA draft. During the 2016-2017 NBA season, He averaged 3.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in the 38 games that he played in the regular season.
Murray averaged 5.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during the playoffs.
Dejounte Murray is expected to have an increased role this upcoming NBA season and is expected to be the starting point guard in the future the Spurs as Tony Parker gets older.
Stanley Johnson and Henry Ellenson's team options exercised by the Detroit Pistons
Stanley Johnson was drafted eighth overall by the Detroit Pistons out of the University of Arizona during the 2015 NBA draft. Johnson averaged 4.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists during the past NBA season. Marquette University product Henry Ellenson was drafted by the Detroit Pistons 18th overall during the 2016 NBA draft. Ellenson appeared in 19 games with the Pistons and averaged 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves exercised their 2018-2019 team options on Karl-Anthony Towns and Tyus Jones
Karl-Anthony Towns was drafted first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves out of the University of Kentucky during the 2015 NBA draft. Towns averaged 25.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during the 2016-2017 NBA season.
He was also the awarded the 2015-2016 Rookie of the Year and was a member of the All-Rookie team.
Tyus Jones out of Duke was drafted 24th overall during the 2015 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jones was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for two 2015 second round picks. During the past NBA season, he played in 60 games and averaged 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
DeAndre' Bembry and Taurean Prince's team option exercised by the Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre' Bembry was drafted 21st overall by the Atlanta Hawks out of Saint Joseph's University during the 2016 NBA draft. He played in 38 games during the past NBA season and averaged 2.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. Taurean Prince out of Baylor University was picked 12th overall by the Utah Jazz during the 2016 NBA draft but was later traded to the Hawks as part of a three-team trade. Prince averaged 5.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game while appearing in 59 games.
