Popovich has coaching plans for Murray

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PHOENIX – Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray may be out for the season, but that doesn't mean he won't have work to do soon beyond just rehabbing his right knee.

"When he's able to move a little bit more and get around, he's going to become like a coach," coach Popovich said. "We are going to put him in all our coaching meetings and let him sit there while we argue about game plans and what to do. We are going to have him be in every one of those meetings to at least fill his brain up a little bit with what's going on."

Popovich said that plan will also help make Murray "feel part of the group" and "not isolated and sitting in the training room all the time, which gets pretty boring."

Murray underwent surgery last week to repair the anterior cruciate ligament he tore in his right knee in a preseason game Oct. 7 against Houston.

San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich talks with Dejounte Murray during the Silver & Black Open Scrimmage at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich talks with Dejounte Murray during the Silver & Black Open Scrimmage at the AT&T Center, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. Photo: JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News Photo: JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Popovich has coaching plans for Murray 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The Spurs expected Murray to come into his own this season at point guard after taking over for Tony Parker last January. Murray finished his second NBA averag-ing 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals while earning Second-Team NBA All-Defense honors.

Despite the huge setback, Murray has displayed a positive attitude, Popovich said.

"He's doing what he's supposed to do," Popovich said, "but it's just frustrating because you know you are going to be out for the year. That's a pretty big blow. It's not like he's going to come back in six weeks. It's tough because he's missed some other time in his young career because of injury and now he misses a whole year. I got to believe he's frustrated as hell. But he's handling it, keeping his sense of humor and we are trying to keep him in touch (with the team)."