The Kings did the unexpected in the 2022 NBA Draft and that usually doesn’t end well in Sacramento.
Sacramento took Keegan Murray at No. 4 on Thursday’s NBA Draft, making a huge pivot than what was expected of them.
The Kings were heavily favored to either draft Purdue’s Jaden Ivey among multiple projected NBA Draft boards, or trade their pick away. Ivey was considered by some as having the highest upside in the draft.
Keegan Murray poses with Adam Silver after being drafted by the Kings. AP
The Kings have missed on many franchise-altering players in past drafts. ScreengrabMurray has tremendous potential and averaged 23.5 points per game at Iowa last season. He also works as a two-way player – averaging over one steal and nearly two blocks a game.
The Kings, though, have notoriously passed on franchise-changing players such as Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson for busts like Marvin Bagley III and Jimmer Fredette in the draft. Sacramento’s choice, however, seemingly works better when it comes to fit.
The Kings already have a dynamic point guard in De’Aaron Fox and Murray would slide in nicely at the forward spot next to Domantas Sabonis.
Jaden Ivey Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty ImagesIvey, who was picked at No. 5 by the Pistons, will be part of a rebuilding Detroit squad and play alongside last year’s first overall selection, Cade Cunningham.
