After a record-breaking debut, Keegan Murray’s plummeting efficiency and injury woes now haunt Sacramento. The $140 million wing must reclaim his elite form to anchor the Kings' rebuild.
Keegan Murray made three-point shooting history in his rookie season en route to helping the Sacramento Kings break a 16-year playoff drought, but he hasn't recaptured his shine since.
Murray nailed 206 threes to break the previous record set by Donovan Mitchell in the 2017-18 season. He shot 41.1% from beyond the arc on 6.3 attempts, earning recognition as an elite shooter and All-Rookie First Team honors.
That praise didn't last more than two seasons, as the fourth-overall pick's three-point percentage has steadily declined.
He shot 35.8% in 2023-24, 34.3% in 2024-25 and 27.7% last season. It's a concerning sign to see a player who Sacramento views as a franchise cornerstone regress rather than improve.
The Kings held their lottery forward out of trade talks in previous seasons and extended him last October. Murray signed a five-year, $140 million rookie contract extension, which kicked in on July 1 as the new fiscal year began.
Heading into his fifth season, he is now a $25 million-plus player, and he has to play up to his value, which he didn't last season due to injuries. He tore his UCL in his right finger, which caused him to miss 15 games; he was sidelined for 20 after a moderate left ankle sprain, then underwent an arthroscopic procedure in May.
Even in his limited appearances (23 games), Murray didn't play up to expectations.
"His ability to go, 'Well, I am the man, I am the leader, I can be your number one guy,' even though those chances appeared last season, it didn't happen," James Lloyd said on last Friday's episode of "Locked On Fantasy Basketball."
Lloyd highlighted that he believes Murray is the player who can change the team's ceiling. His shooting and 6-foot-8 frame are the blueprint for the prototypical 3-and-D wing many NBA teams covet.
He's shown the capability to score 30-40 points off threes and defend on the perimeter. Murray scored a career-high 47 points against the Utah Jazz on 12-for-15 from three on Dec. 16, 2023, and paired two steals with his performance.
As a vital part of the Kings' success, he must return to form quickly. General manager Scott Perry drafted Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall pick and is prioritizing a youth movement to rebuild the team.
The 25-year-old's skill set could mesh well next to the 6-foot-2 rookie. Acuff can handle lead ball-handling responsibilities, allowing Murray to attack in spots rather than create his own shot.
It could be a solid foundation for the Kings, but it hinges on Murray remaining healthy.
Sacramento doesn't need Murray to recreate his record-setting rookie season, but it does need him to become a reliable high-volume shooter again. If his three-point percentage rebounds into the high 30s and he stays on the floor, the Kings' young core becomes much easier to build around.
