3 Kings SL players expected to step up in Keegan Murray’s absence
By Logan Struck
After an all-time performance from Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings Summer League head coach Luke Loucks announced that Murray would be shut down for the rest of the Summer League. While Keegan Murray has been the top performer in the Summer League thus far, it was only a matter of time before the Kings would stop risking injury.
The 22-year-old forward is entering his second year in the league, and after starting 85 of 87 games played as a rookie, Murray is expected to make a huge sophomore leap. His development has shown in his two Summer League games, as he started receiving comparisons to NBA superstars like Kawhi Leonard.
Keegan Murray over-performed in the California Classic Summer League, so as the team travels to Las Vegas, who is expected to step up in his absence? Here are three players we expect to take the reigns of this young Summer Kings squad:
1. Kessler Edwards
The most experienced player on the roster is Kessler Edwards, as he enters his third season in the NBA. The 22-year-old forward has played 84 career NBA games, averaging 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
As a 6’8″ wing, Edwards’ defense has been impressive, getting four steals in their first California Classic Summer League game against the Warriors. In this game, he tacked on 10 points and 4 rebounds (all offensive rebounds) but shot an inefficient 5-14 from the field and 0-7 from deep.
While he was unable to knock down shots, Edwards still had an impressive game. He seemed to be everywhere on defense and did an exceptional job crashing the boards.
In the second game against the Heat, Edwards had 6 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal but still struggled on offense. Kessler Edwards will need to step up on offense if he wants to take the reigns of this young team, which he should strive for, being the most experienced player on the court.