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5 second-year NBA players ready to take the leap this season

By Jakob Ashlin

Oct 28, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Keegan Murray
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray before the game against the Utah Jazz at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Second-year NBA players ready to take the leap: 1. Keegan Murray

Murray had an outstanding rookie season for the Sacramento Kings. He started 78 games and was a key component of Sacramento’s No. 1 ranked offense. He averaged 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting a team-high 41.1 percent from 3 (min. 15 attempts).

On draft night, the All-American was viewed by many analysts as a “high-floor, low-ceiling” prospect, but he has shown flashes of untapped potential. In the playoffs, the rookie posted 23 points (9-of-13 from the field, 5-of-7 from beyond the arc) and 7 rebounds in Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors. During the California Classic Summer League, he looked overqualified, scoring 41 points against the Miami Heat.

Subsequently, the Kings shut him down for the rest of the summer league.

Yes, Murray was supposed to be an NBA-ready player, but he is already outperforming expectations. He is on a tantalizing trajectory.

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