KeeganMurray

News: 2 days agoMurray scored 17 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT) while adding five steals, two assists, one rebound and one block in 26 minutes during Friday's 109-106 preseason loss to the Warriors.

Spin: The Kings' new-look starting lineup with DeMar DeRozan appeared to be just about in midseason form, as all five players scored in double digits. Murray made his biggest impact on the defensive end though, an encouraging sign after he averaged 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks over 77 regular-season games in 2023-24. The third-year forward may have more to offer in those categories this season, especially with DeRozan on board to handle more of the offensive load.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Murray followed up his All Rookie campaign with a better effort last season, notching incremental improvements in every category. Murray is a pure finisher, with fewer than two assists and one turnover per game because he rarely dribbles or passes. Murray continues to grow into his role as a stretch four, knocking down 3-pointers created mainly by teammates Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox. With another new teammate, DeMar DeRozan, also able to draw defensive attention and pass to open teammates, Murray should be even more efficient as a knock-down shooter in Year 3. He is a top-100 prospect in points leagues, but his 3-point volume and averages of around a steal and block per game boost him into the top 85 for category leagues.