Former Kings center: Keegan Murray is ‘an excellent piece’ for Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings are at a pivotal moment in their evolution, balancing win-now urgency with the patience required to develop their young core.

Former Sacramento Kings center and current Houston Rockets TV analyst Ryan Hollins joined Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys to break down where the franchise stands and where it can go next.

Hollins sees forward Keegan Murray as a long-term piece who may not be a classic No. 1 option, but is exactly the kind of high-level complementary star winning teams need.

“Keegan Murray’s a guy I feel like, you know, a role that he can play and play for a long time in the NBA,” Hollins said, adding later, “I don’t think he’s option number one, but I think he’s a great three, and even in some situations, a great two and an excellent piece of an organization.”

Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on December 06, 2025 in Miami, Florida (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

For Sacramento Kings fans eager to see a massive statistical leap, Hollins urged realism about what “development” actually means in the NBA.

“Sometimes the expectation, like, man, he scored you know 12 or 13 points average as a rookie, so man, he can be a 20–30 point [per] game. Nah, man, he’s great in that role,” Hollins explained. “And when I see Keegan, I think he’s a heck of a player, and he’s been that way from day one.”

The Sacramento Kings are also working to define a tougher, defense-first identity while integrating offensive talent like seventh-overall pick Darius Acuff Jr. Hollins acknowledged Acuff isn’t known as a stopper, but pointed to a model across the bay.

“You may not be a great defender, but you can play within a team concept and be tough-minded. And that’s what you’re going to expect of Acuff,” Hollins said, noting that Acuff has an “old soul,” is a “gym rat,” and already sees “the second level of defense.”

A key to that identity, in Hollins’ view, is All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis, who could unlock the best version of the Kings’ backcourt.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after the Kings scored against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Golden 1 Center on January 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“If I’m a guard, Sabonis is your best friend. If it’s not Nikola Jokic, Sabonis is right behind there. Sabonis, you can truly run offense through him, and he’s a guard’s best friend, getting you looks.”

From Murray’s realistic ceiling to Acuff’s defensive challenge and Sabonis’ playmaking hub, Hollins paints a picture of a Sacramento Kings team that’s closer than it may appear, if they stay patient with development while sharpening their collective edge on defense.

Be sure to check out the full interview with Ryan Hollins on the Sactown Sports YouTube page or the Sactown Sports app.

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The Sacramento Kings will conclude their Las Vegas Summer League slate on Friday afternoon when they face the Charlotte Hornets at 3:30 PM PT at UNLV’s Pavilion.

Sactown Sports will be ON SITE in Las Vegas ALL WEEK LONG from July 12-19th! Be sure to remain locked into Sactown Sports for your Sacramento Kings Summer League news, analysis, and much more!

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• Thursday, July 9th – Sunday, July 19th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League
• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

2026 Sacramento Kings Las Vegas Summer League Schedule

• Friday, July 17th: vs. Charlotte Hornets – 3:30 p.m. PT (Prime)

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