Why the Kings Haven’t Extended Their 25-Year-Old Power Forward
The Sacramento Kings and Keegan Murray have yet to finalize an extension, and while that may seem surprising on the surface, it’s not a cause for concern. With a new front office led by Scott Perry and a fresh coaching staff in place, the organization wants to evaluate Murray in different roles before committing to long-term numbers. It’s no secret that the Kings want to extend him, and they likely already have offers in mind, but there’s no rush from either side to finalize a deal. Extensions often come down to timing and leverage, and Sacramento appears content to let this play out over the course of the season. For Murray, waiting could only increase his value if he takes another step forward in his development.
Murray has looked the part of a high-level contributor since entering the league, flashing offensive versatility while standing out most on the defensive end. His work on the wing last season was elite, as he demonstrated the ability to switch, contest, and utilize his length to slow down a variety of scorers. On offense, he continues to show potential both as a spot-up shooter and as a player who can grow into a more dynamic scoring role with the ball in his hands. At worst, Murray is already an outstanding role player who contributes to winning basketball, which makes his long-term value difficult to pin down. His range of outcomes is broad, and that’s what makes negotiations more complicated than straightforward.
The market also plays a role in why a deal hasn’t been completed yet. Recently, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. signed an extension worth around $22 million annually, and given his similarities to Murray, that figure sets something of a baseline for what the Kings’ forward should expect. Murray may ultimately deserve more depending on how much growth he shows this year, especially considering his defensive impact and potential offensive ceiling. The Kings must weigh the possibility of locking him up early at a reasonable price versus waiting and risking that his market value rises. For Murray, patience could pay off with a bigger deal if he proves himself in expanded roles this season.
In the end, both sides are operating from a position of confidence, not conflict. The Kings clearly view Murray as part of their future, and Murray has already established himself as a player worth investing in. What remains is simply aligning on the correct number and committing at the right time. With his proven defense, steady improvement, and significant upside, there’s little doubt that Murray will get rewarded with a major deal. The question isn’t whether it will happen, it’s when and how much his next step forward will raise the price.
