Rookie Keegan Murray speaks to reporters after the Kings’ 130-125 loss to the Warriors on Sunday night.
As the Kings search for their first win of the 2022-23 NBA season, coach Mike Brown made a major roster move this week in hopes of accomplishing just that.
Brown confirmed to reporters that Rookie Keegan Murray will start vs. the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.
Right after coach Brown broke the news, De’Aaron Fox gave his input on the roster change and how he thinks Murray will fit in with the starting five.
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“I think it helps us tremendously,” Fox said. “When he gets on the court, you feel the spacing increase … I think everyone in the league pretty much knows what he can do. He can help us not only with shooting, just with his entire package.”
While we know Murray was elevated to starter, it’s unclear whose spot he will take.
With Fox locked in as the one, Kevin Huerter as the two-guard and Domantas Sabonis as starting center -- the two that make the most sense are KZ Okpala and Harrison Barnes.
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Neither player is playing out of this world. Okpala is averaging 1.0 points and two rebounds in Sacramento’s first three games so far, but his defensive efforts don’t do his numbers justice.
Barnes, who’s in his 11th year in the league, is averaging 7.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Coming off a big year scoring-wise and shooting-wise, where he nearly averaged five 3-pointers a game last season, Barnes has only attempted five threes total in the first three games this season and hasn’t made one yet.
As someone who’s supposed to be providing a little more veteran leadership to a relatively young squad, Barnes hasn’t stepped up that role yet this season.
On the other hand, Murray is off to a great start with the Kings. He’s averaging 17.5 points on 54.2 percent shooting from the field and 43.8 percent from deep. He’s also averaging 4.5 rebounds.
The 6-foot-8, 22-year-old rookie forward already is impressing, given why he’s been promoted after playing in just two of Sacramento’s first three contests.
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Murray’s ability to move well without the ball into open space has been beneficial in a short amount of time and will surely do wonders for the Kings moving forward.
With an additional offensive weapon like Murray in the starting mix, the Kings hopefully can get things rolling on that end of the floor.
“[Having] the additional guys who can put the ball in the basket definitely makes our offense that much better,” Fox said.
But Sacramento’s focus is on the other end of the court, hoping to improve defensively as the season progresses, with Fox adding that “it’s all about defense for us.”
And the Kings will have the perfect opportunity to accept that big challenge Thursday night vs. Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.