Grading the grades: What experts are saying about the Kings drafting Keegan Murray
After much anticipation, the Sacramento Kings took Iowa forward Keegan Murray with the fourth pick of the 2022 NBA draft. Whether it be on Kings Twitter or at the team’s draft party at the Golden 1 Center, reactions to the pick were decidedly mixed.
Here is what other experts and outlets are saying about the pick. Some gave letter grades, while others opted for detailed postdraft thoughts with no grade.
Jonathan Givony, ESPN, Post-Draft Analysis
The year-round draft expert who co-founded the popular site DraftExpress.com focused on the precarious position the Kings front office leaders found themselves in with the pick. He said that the team’s 16-year playoff drought and midseason trade for Domantas Sabonis clearly signaled the Kings’ intent to find a player that could contribute right away.
Givony said, “(Murray) fits a position and role every NBA team is looking for as a big wing who can operate as an ultra-versatile power forward or slide up as a small-ball center, which he did with great success at Iowa.”
Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer, Grade: B-
The draft expert with one of the most comprehensive online draft guides said the Murray pick was a surprise. While he thinks that Murray is a “terrific fit” alongside Sabonis and point guard De’Aaron Fox, he questions whether Sacramento could have still gotten him while trading down to a later slot and picking up an additional asset or two. O’Connor previously reported that teams were “lining up for the No. 4 pick for a long time.”
Sam Veccine and John Hollinger, The Athletic, Post-Draft Analysis
Veccine, who is the site’s draft expert, said he had Murray ranked No. 8 on his big board going into the draft. His favorite NBA comparison for Murray is Sixers forward Tobias Harris, who is best at “keeping things simple, with no frills … will push the ball in transition, catch and shoot, make the occasional mid-post self-created bucket and hit opposing guards on post mismatches.”
Hollinger, who is a former Grizzlies front office executive and prominent NBA columnist, said he would have taken Purdue guard Jaden Ivey. He said the Kings, with only one “real forward” already on the roster (Harrison Barnes), will benefit from the pick short-term.
Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated, Grade: B+
Woo also said that Ivey had higher upside, but that he wasn’t going “bash the Kings for what (he) felt was objectively a very difficult choice.”
“It’s hard to accurately grade this without knowing what trade offers were on the board,” Woo said in his analysis. “But Murray is a really, really good player, and was ultimately the best match for the Kings.”
Tom Dierberger, NBC Sports California, Grade: B-
The writer at the media company which televises Kings games said that Murray’s fit with the Kings is “undisputed,” but he too thought taking him with the fourth overall pick was not great value. He said that his grade for Sacramento would have been higher if Kings general manager Monte McNair was able to acquire a few assets while still getting their guy.
This story was originally published June 24, 2022 at 12:00 AM.