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The Sacramento Kings are off to a hot start in the summer league. While their 1-2 record in Las Vegas has not been the most impressive, there have been some really solid flashes from the young roster. Led by Keegan Murray, the team has been extremely fun to watch. They will face off with the Phoenix Suns in their final matchup on Friday. Look for the Kings to end the summer on a high note and propel themselves into the regular season.
As the summer league is winding down, many young players are looking to make their final positive impressions on NBA teams. The Kings have had a number of guys make positive impressions already. Here are the three biggest overreactions ahead of the summer league finale.
Kings: 3 biggest Sacramento overreactions from 2022 NBA Summer League
Keegan Murray is a Cornerstone Piece
The Kings received a great deal of criticism for selecting Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick. While the jury is still out on how this decision will age, Sacramento must feel good about how things have started. There is a real argument that Keegan Murray has had the most impressive summer league of any player in Las Vegas. The Iowa product is averaging 24 points, 6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He also is shooting 37% on three-point attempts while launching nine attempts per game. Murray has done just about everything the team has asked and more through the first three games.
There looks to be a great place in the NBA long-term for Keegan Murray's style of play. He appears to be NBA-ready and has a mature feel to his game. The Kings are focused on competing this year and it is rare for a rookie to make an immediate impact. Murray looks to be in the minority for this and will fit well with what the Kings want to do. Expect him to play a major role in their transition game and play minutes at both the forward positions. Sacramento should hold off on running victory laps until he plays in at least the regular season. However, the franchise could not be happier with how the start to Murray's Kings career has gone.
Keon Ellis Could Have an NBA Role
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While Murray stole the show, he was not the only rookie to stand out. Keon Ellis also made a strong statement about what he can do. The Alabama standout went undrafted but agreed to a two-way contract with the Kings following the draft. Ellis is an impressive athlete who has shown some really nice flashes in his time in the summer league. During his three games in the Las Vegas, Ellis has averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 assists, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. He also has shot an incredible 13 for 28 on three-point attempts.
While this ridiculous 46.4% three-point rate likely cannot be maintained, it still is a positive sign. Ellis was a solid shooter in college but needs to continue to improve. The 6'6″ guard projects as a three-and-D prospect with an NBA skill set. He has done a great job flashing his NBA style and showing why the Kings handed him a two-way contract. While Ellis is unlikely to make a major impact this season, expect him to be a part of their long-term plans. He likely will never be a cornerstone player but is showing the signs of a rotational piece that could help the team greatly.
Jared Rhoden Deserves and Exhibit 10 Deal
Another player who has shined in the Kings' Summer League has been Jared Rhoden. The Seton Hall product has an awesome storyline and is a player who is fun to watch. The former three-star recruit improved throughout his four years in college and paved his way during the predraft process. Rhoden is a versatile defender who can handle the ball and has improved greatly as a shooter. He plays with solid physicality and is a team-oriented player.
During his three games in the Las Vegas Summer League, Rhoden has averaged 13 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 assists per game. He has not shot the ball very well but still has shown some really nice flashes. While Rhoden was only brought in with the guarantee for a summer league tryout, his game has an NBA-level of intrigue. Keon Ellis and Neemias Queta currently occupy the two-way slots for the Kings. Handing Jared Rhoden an Exhibit 10 deal to ensure he stays with the franchise would be a worthy gamble. The 22-year-old may not have the sky-high potential that this type of slot is traditionally used for, but keeping him in the Kings system could prove extremely beneficial in the long run.
