{"id":84545,"date":"2024-07-04T10:00:34","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T14:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=84545"},"modified":"2024-07-04T10:00:34","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T14:00:34","slug":"nba-rumors-kings-lottery-pick-not-going-anywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/04\/nba-rumors-kings-lottery-pick-not-going-anywhere\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: Kings\u2019 Lottery Pick \u2018Not Going Anywhere\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Sacramento Kings have made 2023 No. 4 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murrake02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keegan Murray<\/a> untouchable in trade talks, The Athletic insider Sam Amick tells <em>Sactown Sports 1140<\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201c\u2026<a  href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/_a8jGQWRDE4?si=ueoS0rrrTPX0kTsL\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">When you have a young player<\/a>\u2026 You run into these scenarios where you gotta choose. Like, are you all in to the point that this veteran player is going to move the needle enough that you justify trading that young player or do you want to keep growing with the guy that you\u2019re pretty high on.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cFor the Kings right now, my understanding is they\u2019re taking a very, very hard stance on Keegan; that he\u2019s not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Kings\u2019 Keegan Murray \u2018Not Going Anywhere\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>After two seasons, it\u2019s difficult to determine what the Kings have in Murray.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s demonstrated star potential on offense, scoring at least 20 points in 31 games. This includes a 47-point outburst last December, as Murray hit 12 straight 3-pointers (an NBA record) in a 21-point win over the Utah Jazz. To that point, if the Jazz are pushing for Murray to be <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/02\/jazz-west-contenders-enter-lauri-markkanen-trade-sweepstakes\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">part of their return<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/markkla01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lauri Markkanen<\/a>, it\u2019s likely with that game in mind.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Keegan Murray ERUPTS for 12 3PM in Kings\u2019 win vs. Jazz | NBA on ESPN\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yL0qL3Cem3Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Indeed, as an exceptional outside shooter who\u2019s growing confident in scoring off-the-dribble, his skillset is reminiscent of Markkanen\u2019s. Like Markkanen, he\u2019s also an example of nonlinear development. In 2023-24, Murray shot just 35.8 percent from 3 after nailing 41.1 percent of his outside attempts as a rookie.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest chances appeared in his ability to knock down 3s midway through or late in the shot clock. He also was less effective against tight defense. In 2022-23, Murray made 41.7 percent of his 3s with 15-17 seconds left on the shot clock. He made 50.0 percent of his long-range attempts with 4-7 seconds remaining on the shot clock. When defenders were within 2-4 feet of him, he hit 38.9 percent of his 3-point attempts.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, he only converted 34.2 percent of his 3-point attempts with 15-17 seconds remaining on the shot clock and 29.7 percent of his 3s with 4-7 seconds left. When defenders were within 2-4 feet of him, he made just 26.5 percent of his 3s.<\/p>\n<h3>If The Focus Isn\u2019t Winning Now, It\u2019s A Waste<\/h3>\n<p>As a 3-point specialist, the variation in Murray\u2019s efficiency is concerning and significant. Sure, he\u2019s plenty young enough to keep growing. His rookie campaign was impressive and what\u2019s expected of a top-five pick.<\/p>\n<p>The problem is that the Kings aren\u2019t rebuilding anymore, they\u2019re competing for championships. They need players they know will help them win now. To that point, Murray undeniably improves their perimeter defense. However, the jury is still out on whether he\u2019s holding back the offense or helping it.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Sacramento has the opportunity to land several established talents. Players that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/foxde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sabondo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Domantas Sabonis<\/a> can let go to work without worrying how they\u2019ll produce. If the goal isn\u2019t to make sure they have a shot of winning the NBA Finals, why commit $349 million to that duo alone?<\/p>\n<p>Why not just trade Fox and Sabonis while their value is at its highest if they\u2019re not going all out to win? It\u2019s similar to the Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 situation with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Davis<\/a>, who aren\u2019t in LA just to say they made the playoffs. To that point, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reaveau01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Reaves<\/a> is skilled and popular, James would likely prefer a bonafide third star joins him <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/03\/nba-all-time-leading-scorer-lebron-james-agrees-deal-lakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">on his last ride<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Lakers haven\u2019t truly <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/04\/lakers-trade-talk-rumors-with-blazers-nets-jazz\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">maximized their roster<\/a> around their two stars. They\u2019re now facing more heat than ever because of it. The Kings find themselves in that same boat. Too hesitant to make life easier for their two stars and too cheap to foot a bill for a championship-contender.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s almost as if the Boston Celtics didn\u2019t win a championship with five handsomely paid All-Star-caliber talents.<\/p>\n<h3>Who Should SAC Trade For?<\/h3>\n<p>All of Sacramento\u2019s supposed splash trade targets \u2014Markkanen, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/derozde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeMar DeRozan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/ingrabr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Ingram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuzmaky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Kuzma<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lavinza01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach LaVine<\/a> \u2014are a mixed bag defensively. Only Markkanen, Ingram, and LaVine have made at least 36 percent of their career 3s. To compare, Kuzma only has two seasons shooting above 36 percent from 3. DeRozan has never made at least 36 percent of his 3s.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, they\u2019ve all averaged at least 20 points per game over the last two seasons. Notably, DeRozan and LaVine are the only members of the quintet with a career scoring average of at least 20.0 points per game.<\/p>\n<p>In a vacuum, LaVine the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/03\/western-conference-playoff-hopefuls-still-in-on-zach-lavine-trade\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">most feasible trade target<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Best Of Zach LaVine \ud83d\udd25 23-24 Midseason Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c_AlwgsK8sw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s arguably more capable of playing off of Fox and Sabonis than everyone. Because of his own playmaking ability, they can play off of him as well. Indeed, this is big difference between he and Markkanen, who struggles as a facilitator. There\u2019s also no doubt that he has the lowest price tag. In fact, they likely could acquire LaVine without giving up Murray.<\/p>\n<p>This is primarily to LaVine\u2019s hefty salary. Yet, with DeRozan and Ingram seeking lucrative contracts, the Kings may not be in a better position with them. Now on the final year of his deal, Markkanen may demand a max contract extension.<\/p>\n<p>Kuzma is on an affordable and de-escalating contract. Nonetheless, Sacramento will have to trade some of their limited assets to acquire him, potentially even Murray.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Sacramento Kings have made 2023 No. 4 pick Keegan Murray untouchable in trade talks, The Athletic insider Sam Amick tells Sactown Sports 1140. \u201c\u2026When you have a young player\u2026 You run into these scenarios where you gotta choose. Like, are you all in to the point that this veteran player is going to move [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":84550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1608,8,26,62,33,4721,24,18],"tags":[308,350,4606,1128,926,38,4774,457],"class_list":["post-84545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kings","category-basketball","category-bulls","category-lakers","category-nba","category-pelicans","category-trade-rumors","category-jazz","category-wizards","tag-brandon-ingram","tag-demar-derozan","tag-keegan-murray","tag-kyle-kuzma","tag-lauri-markkanen","tag-lebron-james","tag-rumors","tag-zach-lavine"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}