Keegan Murray Signs Contract Extension
Keegan Murray has secured a robust financial commitment from the Sacramento Kings, signing a five-year contract extension worth $140 million, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. This agreement was finalized on Wednesday, just ahead of the looming deadline of October 21, making Murray eligible for an extension after previously fulfilling his four-year, $36.3 million rookie contract.
Performance and Comparisons
Drafted as the fourth overall pick by Sacramento in 2022 from Iowa, Murray has demonstrated consistent performance in the league, averaging 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds while maintaining a 37% shooting success rate from beyond the arc. His scoring ability has often been compared to recent contracts awarded to peers like Trey Murphy III, who received a four-year, $112 million deal from the New Orleans Pelicans, and Alperen Şengün of the Houston Rockets, who signed a five-year, $185 million contract.
Team Performance and Murray’s Role
The Kings, who enjoyed a strong season previously ranking third in the Western Conference, saw a drop to ninth place in the last two years, but their performance was sufficient to earn a spot in the play-in tournament. In 2024, they clinched a victory over the Golden State Warriors before being ousted by the New Orleans Pelicans. In the previous season, they faced elimination from the Dallas Mavericks.
In terms of scoring, Murray has often taken a backseat as the fourth-leading scorer on the team, particularly while sharing the court with prolific scorers like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who averaged over 22 points per game. As a rookie, he made history by setting the record for the most three-pointers by a rookie with 206, shooting an impressive 41%. While some speculate that his rookie season numbers might not be repeatable, his contributions on the boards have positioned him as the team’s second-leading rebounder behind Domantas Sabonis. Murray has also demonstrated significant durability, playing an average of 78 games per season.
Defensive Growth and Injury Update
Defensively, Murray’s growth has been notable, particularly in one-on-one scenarios against elite players like Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, and Donovan Mitchell. However, fans will have to wait to see him on the court this season, as he is currently recovering from a torn UCL in his left thumb, anticipating a recovery period of four to six weeks, which could see him back in action by late November.
Further updates on Murray’s progress and the Kings will be provided as they emerge.
