Making it to the NBA is a minor miracle. Tens of thousands of players worldwide are competing for a few hundred spots. And most players who get there never stop proving their worth.
Once a player is picked up by one of 30 teams, there is still the fight for minutes and consistent time on the court. In reality, nothing is guaranteed and everything needs to be earned.
That's what makes it even harder for a player like Keegan Murray who has spent three seasons with in Sacramento and is still looking for the consistency in his role. It's time for the Kings to deliver.
Where Keegan Murray is at
Murray was drafted fourth in 2022. Since then, he has averaged 32.5 minutes per game, and become a regular starter at power forward, not to mention a fan favorite.
That single stat isn't the whole story, of course. Being an average, his actual usage rates vary dramatically, as do the lineups he works with. The loss of De'Aaron Fox particularly impacted their roster and how players are utilized.
The lack of consistency both in Murray's minutes and how his services are put to use on the court is problematic at best. His offensive usage has decreased, leading to a slight decline in his numbers. Simply put, he's not where he should be and that's on the Kings.
Where Keegan Murray will end up this season
On a team filled to the brim with shoot-first guards, Keegan Murray is more important and valuable than ever. His defense has actually improved in spite of the team's inconsistency, and his offensive potential remains untapped.
The hope is that the Kings will realize this, and put the young forward to work at both ends of the court. To be blunt, the team's success this season hangs on helping Murray fulfill his potential.
Beyond that, Murray becomes a restricted free agent at the end of this season. If another team goes after Murray hard enough, and there will be interested parties, the Kings might find themselves priced out of the conversation, especially if Murray see a chance to shine somewhere else.