The Sacramento Kings have already dipped into the Ben Simmons redemption pool, and now another familiar name could be waiting on the other side of the waiver wire: Kris Murray.
Memphis is expected to waive Murray, who was acquired in the Ja Morant deal on June 29, and the numbers on the Grizzlies’ roster explain why. They have 19 players on standard contracts heading into training camp, and by the start of the season they need to trim four more to get down to the 15-man limit. Murray appears to be one of the players on the bubble.
That possibility has already sparked one suggestion in Sacramento. Carmichael Dave, host of "The Drive Guys" on Sactown Spots 1140, said Wednesday that the Kings should bring Kris Murray in and reunite him with his twin brother, Keegan Murray.
"Since we're embarking on what I like to call the feel-good Sacramento Kings season with redemption stories and Ben Simmons, curtain calls for Zach LaVine in a contract year, DeAndre Hunter now with both eyes, thank God, doing his thing," Dave said on Wednesday's episode. "There's a lot of real good human interest stories. Why not reunite the twins at home?"
From a basketball standpoint, Murray would come in as a reclamation project with clear appeal on the defensive end. Sacramento had the third-worst defensive rating in NBA history last season, so adding another wing who can help in that area matters. Murray, listed at 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11.75 wingspan, has shown he can function as a versatile team defender, rotating well to shut down driving lanes and passing lanes.
He also brings a specific kind of offensive utility. Murray has had trouble finding a stable role over the past three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 188 games. His shooting has been the biggest drag on his production, with career marks of 42.5% from the field and 25.9% from three.
Still, there is a usable skill there. Murray is a capable finisher at the rim and can punish defenses in transition or when he gets a clean lane after attacking a closeout. The shot has to come around for that part of his game to matter more consistently, but the frame and defensive instincts give him a chance to stick.
For Sacramento, that makes him fit the same general category as Simmons: a low-risk swing with some upside attached. With the Kings already leaning into marginal moves this offseason, Murray would give them another defensive wing and another possible piece to add to a roster that needs more of that kind of backbone.
In Other News...
Ben Simmons Puts The Kings In A Risky Opening Night Spot
Ben Simmons is back on an NBA roster, and the Kings are the team willing to take the first swing. Sacramento signed the former All-Star to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal reportedly worth up to $3.5 million, betting on a player who still carries obvious talent but has spent the past season away from the league while working his way back physically and, by all accounts, trying to rebuild his confidence.
The catch is right there in the contract: nothing is locked in yet, and opening night could still come with a roster decision attached. Simmons remains the kind of player who can change the conversation if he is healthy and mentally ready, which is why Richard Jeffersons assessment still matters. The upside is easy to see for Sacramento, but the uncertainty is just as real, and it leaves the Kings with a risky situation to sort out before the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Black Is Forcing A Tough Magic Decision
Anthony Black has put the Magic in a spot where his development is no longer just a nice bonus, but a real roster question. Orlando is already staring at serious salary cap pressure with more than $150 million tied up in its top four players, and Black has shown enough as a starter to make the front office think hard about what comes next. His profile is attractive, especially on a team built around Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, even if the shooting remains a work in progress.
The bigger issue is timing, because Black could be headed toward restricted free agency at a moment when Orlando has to decide how much flexibility it can afford to sacrifice. That kind of uncertainty tends to create openings around the league, and Sacramento is one of the teams worth watching if its own roster changes open up room to chase him. For a Kings team looking to stay active in the market, Blacks mix of upside and price uncertainty could make him a name that lingers well beyond Orlando. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fans May Need Patience With The Domantas Sabonis Situation
Domantas Sabonis has suddenly become a name to watch around Sacramento, not because anything is imminent, but because the Kings are at least being linked to the idea of moving him. He has changed agents to one with a reputation for helping navigate difficult deals, which only adds to the intrigue around a player who has been central to the franchises recent identity and one of the most important pieces on the roster.
Still, fans probably should not expect a quick resolution. Recent talk of a possible Kings-Hornets trade has been denied, and there are no confirmed discussions on the table right now. Even beyond the rumors, Saboniss contract makes this the kind of situation that may take patience and time, with a real move potentially not coming until the 2027-28 season, if it comes at all. [Read more 🡒]