Keegan

Murray

Murray returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing one game due to his ankle, playing 35 minutes in a loss to the Lakers. If he cannot play in Saturday’s rematch, Doug McDermott is the likely replacement in the starting lineup. While McDermott is worth streaming in deep leagues when allowed to start, he should not be rostered otherwise.

Murray returned to the Kings lineup after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Nuggets, recording a complete stat line in 35 minutes. While the fantasy value hasn’t been what many fantasy managers expected, he has been a top-100 player in 9-cat formats. Starting alongside De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis limits Murray’s ceiling, but his floor should hold steady. With Murray back in the lineup on Thursday, Doug McDermott played one minute after starting against the Nuggets.

Murray is back after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Nuggets. As a result, Sacramento’s starting lineup will be reunited, with Doug McDermott moving to the bench. There’s no need to stream McDermott when he’s coming off the bench.

The Kings will be without two rotation players for Monday’s game as Murray joins reserve Kevin Huerter on the sideline. Murray’s absence will be more impactful as it opens up a place in the starting lineup. Keon Ellis benefits the most from the absences, while Colby Jones may also pick up additional rotation minutes. Ellis is worth streaming in deep leagues.

Murray popped up on injury report with an ankle injury after flirting with a double-double in his latest outing. He’s played in every game this season and his absence could make way for Isaac Jones to play a significant role off the bench. Especially with Kevin Huerter already ruled out.

Murray’s had to sacrifice some regarding offensive production, but he’s only averaging one less shot attempt per game than last season. The issue has been the decreased accuracy, with the Kings forward entering Tuesday shooting 27.4% from three. Murray shot 3-of-5 from deep on Tuesday, a welcome development for those who have him rostered. Add in the three blocks; this was a good night for Murray.

Not only was Sunday’s start Monk’s first of the season, but it was also his first since the 2022-23 season. He was efficient in that role, shooting 50% from the field and knocking down five 3-pointers. Monk will start on Tuesday against Houston, which boosts his fantasy value, with Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis taking hits to theirs. Murray (eight points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block in 38 minutes) attempted nine shots, while Ellis (eight points, three rebounds, one block, and two 3-pointers) only played 17 minutes off the bench.

DeRozan played 36 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Thunder, but the back issue has lingered for approximately two weeks. He’ll miss at least one game, with the Kings announcing that “further updates will be provided as necessary.” Keegan Murray should figure more prominently in the offense, boosting his fantasy value, as will Keon Ellis and Malik Monk.

Murray is already up to seven double-doubles this season after recording eight throughout the 2023-24 campaign. That hasn’t fully translated into fantasy value, as the third-year forward’s scoring has taken a hit with DeMar DeRozan’s addition to the lineup. But, over the last week, Murray has been a top 75 player, thanks primarily to the improved rebounding.

Having scored 22 points on 9-of-26 shooting in the three games prior, Murray surpassed the 20-point mark for the first time since November 6 on Sunday. Compared to last season’s numbers, his scoring average has decreased by two-plus points, with the 3-point, steals, and blocks averages also taking a hit. While fantasy managers likely expected the scoring to dip with DeMar DeRozan in the fold, the hope was that Murray would do enough in the other categories to maintain his value. That hasn’t happened thus far, with the Kings forward heading into Week 6 ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat formats.