The Sacramento Kings are only three games into the return of Keegan Murray, and his impact is undeniable. He has infused the team with energy and confidence, and has become a key defensive presence for a team that seemed to have no identity in that realm until he got back.
Defense has been a major issue for the Kings for a long time, but it somehow seemed to get worse this season. The best thing you could say about Sacramento's defensive presence was that they managed to stand in front of their opponents sometimes. Again, that's the best thing.
In the last couple of games, that has changed. No one should suggest that the Kings are playing a clean, polished defensive operation. But it is scrappy, a little chippy, and is getting the job done. Heck, the Kings just chalked up back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Keegan Murray makes a difference
There are a number of changes the Kings have made in recent weeks. Moving Dennis Schroder to the bench has him playing better than ever. Russell Westbrook has proved to be a great leader and starting point guard for the Kings. And Precious Achiuwa continues to be a key signing.
Keeping all of that in mind, it's hard to ignore this success coincided with the return of Keegan Murray. The young forward is arguably the best all around player on the team at this point, and is unquestionably their best defender.
Once he returned to the starting lineup, the mood changed for Sacramento. An actual defensive identity began to coalesce, and turn into something effective. Defeating the Nuggets and Wolves is a big deal as both teams beat the Kings in two previous meetings each. Defense was the key.
Things are far from perfect on the Kings
This doesn't mean a major rebuild still isn't necessary. The Kings are holding the bag for mistakes in roster building made by the previous front office. There are big contracts preventing Sacramento from making the moves necessary to become a threat in the West.
That doesn't mean the current roster should give up on winning now. Murray's return isn't going to fix every issue Sacramento has, but it has definitely changed the trajectory of the beleaguered team. Two of their five wins this season came after his return.
Murray is the source of the defensive energy the rest of the team is feeding off of right now, particularly for rookies like Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. The stat sheets don't always reflect hustle and the little things that create wins. Murray's return has the Kings doing that stuff, again.