Keegan Murray is bringing hope to Kings fans after an MVP performance in the Las Vegas Summer League, writes Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. The No. 4 overall pick displayed an advanced offensive array while averaging 23.3 points per game and shooting 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
Many draft observers criticized the Kings for passing on Jaden Ivey to select Murray, but he’s a better fit with the current roster and is showing signs that he’ll be able to contribute right away. An unidentified personnel executive told Bulpett that Murray was the second most impressive player in Summer League behind Paolo Banchero.
“I don’t think people knew how well he could shoot the ball,” the executive said of Murray. “He’s a tremendous shooter. That still has to translate to the real games, but I think he opened some people’s eyes. The Kings could be really interesting if (new head coach) Mike (Brown) can get those guys to realize what they can do. It’s been a long time since Sacramento was any good, and these guys obviously weren’t there for all of it, but sometimes it can be hard for a team to take that first big step.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Suns seem committed to being a taxpaying team after matching the Pacers’ offer sheet for Deandre Ayton, and Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic examines whether the roster is good enough to justify that investment. Phoenix currently has $167.1MM in guaranteed salary, well above the projected $150.267MM tax threshold, and is facing a projected $34.8MM tax bill.
- The Lakers have been watching Max Christie since 2019 and he was the top prospect on their draft board by far when it was time for their pick at No. 35, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. “Just him showing flashes of being a good perimeter shooter with his shooting mechanics and being able to create his own shot off the dribble,” said assistant general manager and co-owner Jesse Buss. “A high-IQ player, obviously, with his size and his length, at the two guard position.”
- Free agent Kent Bazemore posted an online photo of his workouts with former Warriors teammate Stephen Curry (hat tip to Joey Linn of Sports Illustrated’s Fan Nation). Bazemore, who left Golden State to sign with the Lakers last summer, is waiting for an offer for next season.
Steph and Baze are close friends. How is this a rumor lol. No chance the Warriors bring him back though
No clue why they didn’t want to go the 2 way route with Christie for this year, seems like an error for a variety of reasons when it was completely unnecessary for everyone (inc Christie). Is Jeanie being leveraged by 19 yr olds now? Who benefits from this ?
If Iggy hangs up the sneakers I could see Baze returning to the Dubs. I recently read that he said he should never had left last year for the Fakers!
Bazemore is crap. He specializes in dumb fouls, defensive lapses, turnovers, and bad shot selection. In other words he is the opposite of Iggy. I’d rather keep that roster spot open for guys on 10-day contracts than waste money on Bazemore.
Watched a lot of top 10 picks this yr. Physically speaking Smith, Banchero, Ivey, Mathurin. Really stood out to me. Their athleticism and size just great. And felt they had upside that the NBA would bring out even more.
Murray looked more like a tweener 3-4. I definitely saw the scoring. But wondered if it could be done against better comp. He’s shown me he is a scorer. He’s more a 3 than a 4 with size. Where before I saw more a 4 than a 3. He’s stepped it up and even showed his smarts as a scorer. I agreed he was a better fit than Ivey for Kings. This guy looks real good. Wise pick for Kings.
He kinda reminds me of Kyle Kuzma and Tobias Harris. That combo forward, who coming into the league we knew would be a good scorer and shooter. Both guys didn’t get as much attention in college because they didn’t put up the same numbers and hence didn’t go as high in the draft but similar sorta ability. Murray I think projects to be a better all round player than Kuzma and if he can work hard and develop his game I could see him like Tobias being a fringe all star at his peak.
He just looks quicker and smart with the ball. Definitely a scorers mentality. Not just a guy who puts up shots. He’s more athletic that Kuz and Tobias. But that’s a good comparison.
Not a Suns fan…but are they good enough? They were a few shakes away from winning 70’games last year.