Brown: Keegan Murray Can Play The Two, Three & Four Positions

Oct 5, 2022, 2:28 PM | Updated: 4:02 pm

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket...

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

The Sacramento Kings were back in the gym on Wednesday morning as the team began its preparation for Sunday’s preseason home-opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Even though fourth-overall pick Keegan Murray posted an impressive team-leading 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals during his preseason debut on Monday night, the 22-year-old was playing with the second unit during today’s practice at Golden 1 Center.

Defensive wing KZ Okpala got the nod to start next to Harrison Barnes at the other forward position during the preseason opener in Los Angeles, but Kings head coach Mike Brown told the media on Wednesday that the starting forward position is still up for grabs.

Not only did Brown say that the starting forward spot is still open for competition, but he also added that Murray is a player that can the three, four, and possibly even the two-spot.

“Our two, three, and four are all the same. It’s more about how we match up defensively. Keegan, in my opinion, can probably play the two, three, or four,” Brown said of Murray’s place in the lineup. “His versatility on both sides of the ball is a lot of fun to see. Especially with how poised he is for a young guy.”

Looks like Keegan Murray is included in the second-string group.

KZ Okpala is with the starting group (Fox, Huerter, Barnes, Sabonis)

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 5, 2022

Following Wednesday’s practice, Murray spoke about his current place in the rotation and said that he isn’t concerned with his place in the rotation, adding that things will take care of themselves as time goes on.

“I know that I need to learn right now,” Murray said of playing with the second unit. “If I take care of things on the court, things will take care of themselves.” Sacramento’s prized rookie had nothing but positive things to say about Okpala, as Murray pointed out how valuable the 6’8 forward’s defense can be with the starting group.

As for where Murray feels most comfortable on the floor, the Iowa product stated that he has been playing a lot of three and four during practice.

“I’ve been playing both, just depends on the day,” Murray said when asked which position he has been slotted in at most during camp. “(The coaching staff) is just putting me in different spots, seeing what I’m good at and what I need to work at, so I feel like I’m getting reps at both spots pretty evenly.”

Brown may choose to shake up the starting lineup for Sunday’s matchup against Portland, but as of now, Okpala is still wearing the same color jersey as De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Domantas Sabonis during practice.

If Murray continues to put on performances as he did during the Lakers on Monday, it’s going to be nearly impossible to keep the rookie out of the starting group.

Since being drafted by the Kings in June, Keegan Murray has looked like a star in the making.

Stats through Summer League and preseason:

21.0 PTS
7.2 REB
1.3 STL
51% FG
41% 3PT
29.7 MIN
8 Gpic.twitter.com/pmsMWuNJ92

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 4, 2022

Brown Expected To Shorten Rotation On Sunday

All 20 players on Sacramento’s roster logged seven minutes of playing time or more during Monday’s win in Los Angeles, but don’t expect everyone to get run on Sunday.

“It’s going to be different,” Mike Brown said when asked how he’s going to handle the rotation against Portland. “We won’t be playing all 20 [players] this Sunday. At most, we’ll play 15–anywhere from 13 to 15 guys. Our starters will probably play into the second half.”

During Monday’s game, Murray led all players with 20 minutes of playing time. None of the Kings’ starters logged minutes in the second half, but it looks as if Brown will begin ramping up his core rotation players’ minutes during the final three preseason games.