Would it require Keegan Murray to trade for RJ Barrett?

Leading up to last trade deadline, many of the Sacramento Kings’ top players were reportedly available on the trade block. Rumors swirled about starting center Domantas Sabonis potentially being included in a deal with the Toronto Raptors in exchange for RJ Barrett, along with others.

Current Kings general manager Scott Perry was part of the New York Knicks front office that drafted Barrett third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

After being eliminated in game seven of the first round against Cleveland, the Raptors’ offseason is officially underway. Barrett was the hero in game six, making a miracle three-pointer to win the game in overtime for Toronto.

Yet, in 2026-27, he’ll be on an expiring $29.6 million deal. The Raptors have Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, Immanuel Quickley, and Brandon Ingram among their other key pieces.

That could make RJ Barrett expendable, and revisiting a Sabonis doesn’t seem out of the question. However, Jakob Poeltl and his overpriced three-year, $84 million deal that begins next season were also rumored to be involved.

How could a deal get done, landing the playmaking wing in Sacramento, without acquiring additional bad salary? On Monday’s edition of The Matt & Kayla Show, they discussed another potential option, even if it may be unlikely.

“If Scott Perry wants RJ Barrett, there’s another way,” George said. “And that way is Keegan Murray.”

More on RJ Barrett

In 57 regular-season games played for the Raptors this season, RJ Barrett averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from three. At 25 years old, he’s the same age as Murray despite being drafted three years earlier.

It was a disappointing season for Murray in Sacramento, logging a career-low 23 games due to various outlier injuries. Availability concerns were never present previously for the 6’8 forward and his two-way versatility left Perry confident enough to ink him to a five-year, $140 million extension that begins next season.

So, while the Kings would be giving up more future control by doing that swap, it would open up more financial flexibility and/or the chance to extend Barrett.

To make it perfectly clear, (I) am not advocating for this trade,” George clarified. “I would not trade Keegan Murray for RJ Barrett, straight up. I would not do it. But that is an alternative route, a realistic route that makes sense for the Kings if they want to get RJ Barrett here.”

Their conversation then shifted towards debating who is currently the more productive player between the two. Plus, could the Kings also receive draft capital in this hypothetical deal?

While it seems unlikely, the point stands that Murray is the most valuable player on the Kings’ roster as of now. While he’s not expected to be shopped, that reality could lead to him being included in trade conversations as they re-work their roster around youth and an incoming top lottery selection.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Matt & Kayla Show from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Complicated changes to NBA Draft Lottery system could be coming
• NBA Draft Lottery shake-up? What it could mean for the Kings’ rebuild
• Why recent history says the 5th-best Lottery odds may help Sacramento
• Where would Keegan Murray go in a 2022 Re-Draft?

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Sunday, May 10th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
• Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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