Way-too-early NBA Rookie of the Year rankings

3. Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

Stats: 17.4 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.0 BLK, 49.3% FG, 39.5% 3PT

The Kings have a checkered draft history. They have not made the playoffs since 2006, so they have had the opportunity to make many lottery picks. Yet, they have not drafted a player who made an All-Star team, since 2011, when they took Isaiah Thomas with the final pick of the second round.

So, when the Kings surprisingly drafted Murray over Ivey with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, many analysts expressed immediate concern. However, Murray was outstanding during the Summer League. He averaged 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from 3. As a result, he was named the NBA Summer League MVP.

At the start of the regular season, Murray picked up right where he left off. In his season debut against the Los Angeles Clippers, he recorded 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go along with five rebounds and two blocks.

This season, only two players are averaging 17+ points and 1+ blocks, while shooting at least 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from three: Murray and Jayson Tatum. Murray’s scoring ability gives him the potential to win Rookie of the Year this season and become the franchise cornerstone that Sacramento has been seeking.