ESPN Insiders Don’t Believe Keegan Murray Will Be Rookie Of The Year
Aug 22, 2022, 4:30 PM | Updated: 4:43 pm
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Despite walking away from the NBA Summer League as its MVP, ESPN Insiders don’t believe Keegan Murray will be this year’s rookie of the year.
The Kings’ fourth-overall pick averaged 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He was also named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team, something none of the other top five draft picks can claim. Despite these early accolades, ESPN Insiders predict Paolo Banchero, the number one pick by the Orlando Magic, will walk away with the honor.
Banchero received 50% of the first-place votes. Murray only received 11% of first-place votes. Rounding out the top five were Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons, and Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets.
The last time a Kings player was named rookie of the year was in 2010. Tyreke Evans, also a fourth-overall pick by the Kings, won the award after averaging 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
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ESPN’s panel of NBA Insiders previously picked Sacramento to extend its playoff drought for a 17th season, missing the play-in tournament and finishing the regular season with 34 wins despite their offseason moves.
The Kings hope to break a 16-season playoff drought this season. Before drafting Keegan Murray, the Kings added Mike Brown as its new head coach. Once free agency kicked off, the Kings announced the signing of Malik Monk. The Kings then traded Maurice Harkless and Justin Holiday and a protected draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Kevin Huerter.
