Keegan Murray and Russell Westbrook Are the Bright Spot in a Bleak Kings Season - But for How Long?
A quarter of the way into the season, the Sacramento Kings find themselves in familiar territory - struggling to find traction in the win column and searching for answers in a Western Conference that doesn’t wait for anyone to catch up. With roughly 75% of their games ending in losses so far, the Kings are once again staring down the barrel of a rebuild. But amid the frustration, there’s a spark - and it’s coming from a duo that wasn’t even on the floor together to start the season.
Keegan Murray is back - and he’s not easing into anything.
After missing a significant chunk of the early season due to a preseason injury that required surgery on his left thumb, Murray has returned with a vengeance. Gone is the tentative, developing forward we saw flashes of in past seasons. In his place is a more assertive, two-way force who’s playing with purpose on both ends of the court.
Murray’s aggression has been the biggest shift. He’s attacking closeouts, fighting through contact, and making smarter reads with the ball in his hands.
Defensively, he’s more engaged - using his length and instincts to disrupt passing lanes and hold his ground against bigger matchups. This is the version of Keegan Murray the Kings envisioned when they drafted him - a potential franchise cornerstone who doesn’t just fit into the system, but elevates it.
Then there’s Russell Westbrook - the unexpected engine of this team.
Let’s be honest: not many expected Westbrook to be doing this in Sacramento. After bouncing around the league and struggling to find a consistent role, Westbrook has not only carved out a spot - he’s seized it. He’s taken over the starting point guard duties and is playing inspired basketball, bringing the kind of energy and leadership the Kings desperately need.
The triple-doubles are still coming, but more importantly, Westbrook is playing within himself. He’s pushing the pace, orchestrating the offense, and setting the tone with his relentless motor. And while his game has always been built around intensity, what’s striking now is how measured he’s been - picking his spots, involving teammates, and bringing stability to a team that’s sorely lacked it.
Together, Murray and Westbrook are giving the Kings something to build on.
There’s a growing chemistry between the two - a rhythm that’s starting to take shape. Murray’s off-ball movement and developing shot creation pair well with Westbrook’s drive-and-kick game. On defense, they’re beginning to communicate more, showing flashes of cohesion that could eventually anchor a more reliable unit.
But here’s the catch: how long will they be allowed to build that chemistry?
The rebuild cloud looms large over Sacramento.
The Kings’ front office has made it clear - they’re open for business. The roster, as currently constructed, isn’t working.
The defense is inconsistent, the rotations are clunky, and the team’s identity is still a mystery. That’s led to speculation that just about anyone could be on the trade block.
Reportedly, Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford are considered untouchable - and rightfully so. But beyond that, the message is clear: if you’re not helping the team win now or in the near future, your spot isn’t guaranteed.
That makes Westbrook’s situation interesting. There haven’t been any public trade rumors involving him, but his name could come up - especially given his production and value.
He’s on a veteran minimum contract and giving Sacramento high-level minutes. That’s the kind of player contending teams call about.
But if the Kings are serious about developing Murray into a star - and finally turning the corner as a franchise - keeping Westbrook around might be one of the smartest moves they can make. His leadership, playmaking, and competitive fire are exactly what a young core needs.
And the budding connection between him and Murray? That’s not something you want to cut short just as it’s getting started.
The Kings can’t afford to get reckless with this rebuild.
Yes, changes are needed. Yes, the roster needs balance.
But in a season that’s already slipping away, Sacramento has stumbled upon something worth nurturing. Westbrook and Murray aren’t just playing well - they’re building something.
And for a team that’s been stuck in the mud for years, that’s not something to overlook.
If the Kings want to rebuild the right way, they should start by recognizing what’s already working. And right now, nothing is working better than the unlikely duo leading the charge.