Murray Was Easy Choice for McNair

Kings fans seem pretty divided.

Many are disappointed that Sacramento General Manager Monte McNair could not use the fourth pick in the draft to acquire assets, either veteran players or future draft picks.

Then there is a large group disappointed McNair used the pick to take Iowa forward Keegan Murray instead of Purdue guard Jaden Ivey.

Those people who are not happy need to take a chill pill.

McNair can’t make a trade if he doesn’t have a deal he feels is going to make the Kings better.  Remember, it takes two to tango.

Yes, Ivey is projected to be a future superstar with “Ja Morant-like” physical tools – fast, quick, “jump out of the gym” explosive.  Key word is projected.

The Kings also have a player on their team with similar talents in De’Aaron Fox.  Could the pairing of Fox and Ivey work or would it be as bad as walking through a bed of poison ivey?

The Kings’ front office believes Murray also has a big upside.  Plus he is a good fit with the Kings’ current core of Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

For McNair, it was easy.  Murray was the best player available and he was elated to make the pick.

https://twitter.com/SheIsAKingsFan/status/1540223326643056642?s=20&t=RSA-Oi7ABAj2tVxKC3r9Bg

The Kings are counting on the offensive game Murray displayed in college to translate to the NBA.  If it does, Kings fans will be happy.

Others, including noted college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, like the Kings pick of Murray.

https://twitter.com/msjnba/status/1540213641085173760?s=20&t=RSA-Oi7ABAj2tVxKC3r9Bg

Besides the offensive skills Murray had at Iowa, he also has something else McNair seems to feel is important..

The draft is over, but that is just one part of the offseason.  Free agency is just ahead.  The Kings have many roster decisions to make.  Do they re-sign restricted free agent Donte DiVincenzo?  They didn’t make any trades during the draft, but could they make some in the coming days or weeks?

There have been reports that McNair has been given a mandate to make the playoffs next year.  He says that is not true.  The goal is to build a team that can compete at a high level every year.