It has been a season to forget for Kings forward Keegan Murray. In addition to the fact that Sacramento holds the NBA’s worst record (13-47), Murray has spent the year battling various injuries. His season debut was delayed until November 20 after he underwent surgery on his left thumb. He later missed a pair of games in December due to a mild calf strain, then sat out for a month-and-a-half in January and February while recovering from a left ankle sprain.
Murray suffered another setback on Wednesday in Houston. In just his 23rd game of the season, Murray re-injured that same left ankle, rolling it in the first quarter and sitting out for the rest of the night, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.
It remains to be seen whether Murray will face another multi-game absence as a result of his latest ailment, but the Kings have no reason to push him. The lottery-bound team views the fourth-year forward as one of its long-term cornerstones, having signed him last fall to a five-year, $140MM rookie scale extension that will go into effect this July.
We have more from out of the Pacific:
- Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton holds a $3.45MM player option for next season, but he seems less likely to exercise it with each passing day, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. Melton, who had a season-high 28 points on Tuesday vs. New Orleans to increase his career-best scoring average to 12.7 PPG, has an incredible +15.7 net rating in his 688 minutes on the floor this season. Poole speculates that the versatile guard’s next contract could be in the range of $15-20MM annually. “It’s really fun to see him performing at this level after being out for a couple years,” head coach Steve Kerr said earlier this week. “He’s such a great guy, such a fantastic teammate. Hell of a player, and I’m really happy for him that he’s healthy and playing at a high level.”
- Forward Malevy Leons hasn’t played much for the Warriors since signing a two-way contract in December, but he proved in Wednesday’s win over Memphis that he’s capable of contributing when called upon. Leons registered nine points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes — all three marks were season highs. “I thought Malevy was awesome,” Kerr said, per Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. “Just the energy, defending without fouling, creating some problems for them at the defensive end of the floor and then making some nice plays on offense too. Was fun to watch him play.”
- Darius Garland‘s Clippers debut doesn’t appear to be far off, and his teammates and coaches are looking forward to it. Head coach Tyronn Lue said Garland has “looked great” in practices, while guard Kris Dunn added that the newcomer has already been a great fit off the court, writes Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. “We can’t wait. We’re doing good, we’ve shown some good stuff over the last two (games), but it’s also been tough for us,” forward Nicolas Batum said, referring to losses to the Lakers and Magic. “But that kinda showed us we need him. We can’t wait to have him back on the court with us.”
Melton playing himself out of the Warriors’ price range.
Thats the whole reason why they got KP, because if he walks, they can offer Melton more.
Huh? How so? Trading Kuminga and Heild made it easier.
Yes it does Giants , you are correct
Your net 3 mill ( heilds buyout ) post trade
Porzingis is not making 30 million next season. It will give them room.
No it was trading for an expiring contract KP. Hawks didn’t have to do it. They liked JK.
How do you know the Warriors don’t want to resign KP?
Kerr being baffled that a 6’9″ guy is actually good at basketball is peak Kerr insanity. The way this guy forgot that he needs guys over 6’8″ to play forward and instead he keeps playing Moody at PF, is just infuriating to endure. It’s sooo easy to exploit.
Once again they played better without Green on the court.
It’s wild how hard he has fallen out of the “system”. He simply is not a fit on this team anymore, they need a real center with bulk who can pass and play lockdown defense.
One day kids will ask us just how fun was the 22/23 Kings 😞…
It is nice to see Leons get the minutes. The Warriors are having a mini youth movement with Santos, Spencer, Leons. Bodes well for next season.
Post needs to play
I’ve always liked Melton but this feels rich with such the inj history
Perhaps a 2/30 can be obtained but I’d be weary anything more or longer
Warriors are also baby his injuries with no back to back games.
Not only that, but the 25=26 minute max pt. The Pels game was the 1st all season he played 28, and he faded at the end.
2/30 sounds bout right. Yes to Melton. KP is a dream, not a reality. Some dumb gm might give him big $$$ but hope it ain’t dubs. Maybe a small base with many many incentives that could be big if met. But I’m not sure how that works against the cap.
KP will get at least 2 for $50m or 3 for $60m
Cut that in half is closer to reality.
You are the guy who said kuminga will get paid $5m last offseason
I never said that. I did say that Giddey would set the market and Kuminga will get less than him.
I don’t know enough about his illness. I’m not signing a rotation guy I can’t count on for 80% plus gms minimum. Let alone starters money for 50% of gms. KP is not an NBA player or athlete. He is a walking medical report. Why would you pay him to not play. Move on …..
I happen to agree with Ayton here.
The guy is a 17 and 11 guy. Before coming to Lakers. They should run plays for him. Only makes them a better team. Ayton is avg 4 less shots a gm on Lakers.
link to yardbarker.com
It looks like the Lakers don’t believe in him, for good reasons.
Redick only played him 22:33 last night in the 3 pt loss to the Suns, 6th on the team in minutes splitting time with backup C Hayes. Ayton only scored 2 pts with 4 reb 1 stl had a team worst +/- by a LOT at -24, while Hayes produced 6 pts 8 reb 1 blk and was a team best +16.
Ayton is the same guy he was in Portland and PHX. He can still go off in a game, but his internal motor is so inconsistent. He has the tools to be good more often – this is the source of the constant disappointment with his play. But Al is right, Ayton needs plays run for him. He’s not the kind of C who crashes the O-Boards for buckets.
KP was the best addition Warriors could do. A high-risk, high-reward move. We’re seeing the risk now, as he is off the court a lot, but if he gets healthy and playing again, he’s the best player that could fit the Warriors: Rim protector with scoring and 3 point shooting. Not only a stretch 5: a guy who can score inside, and give you 20 a game. One of the best rim protectors in the league.
A low risk low reward upgrade would have been futile towards the objective of trying to contend. If the gamble doesn’t work, doesn’t work, but it had to be played. Right move.
The Warriors have an excellent Director of Sports Medicine. If he can get KP right for 20 mpg for 65 games, he could be a significant upgrade. He’ll be on a “prove-it” contract of say $12-15 million. Seems a risk worth taking.