Keegan Murray's Next Frontier: Becoming a Pick-and-Roll Threat
Edited by Casualplayhub News Editorial. Source: SI NBA. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
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The Sacramento Kings are navigating a season of transition, balancing a roster of seasoned veterans with a wave of young talent poised to carry the franchise forward. This blend likely means more losses than wins in the short term, but it also opens the door for experimentation with lineups and offensive schemes. The arrival of Darius Acuff Jr., selected seventh overall in the draft, gives the Kings a chance to reshape their offensive identity around a dynamic guard. Early glimpses from his college career and Summer League performances suggest a heavy reliance on pick-and-roll action—a natural fit for centers like Domantas Sabonis, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell, as well as forward Precious Achiuwa. Yet the real intrigue lies in whether Acuff and Keegan Murray can develop chemistry as a pick-and-roll tandem.
Through his first four seasons, Murray has rarely been asked to set screens. His game has revolved around being the beneficiary of Sabonis's screens in the dribble handoff, not the one creating space for others. Sabonis routinely tops the league in screen assists, but Murray has logged just 103 total screen assists across 256 career games, according to NBA.com. His per-game averages have hovered between 0.3 and 0.5 each season: 8 screen assists (0.3 per game) in 2025-26, 40 (0.5) in 2024-25, 26 (0.3) in 2023-24, and 29 (0.4) in 2022-23. This is a stark contrast to his rapid development in other areas—he has become the team's best perimeter defender, improved his rebounding, and grown more comfortable attacking the basket. Adding screen-setting to his repertoire would make him one of the most versatile players the Kings have had in years.
The potential payoff is significant. When Murray sets a screen for Acuff, the defense faces a dilemma. Unlike Sabonis or Raynaud, who are not true three-point threats, Murray is a proven shooter from beyond the arc—even after a three-year decline that saw his percentage drop to 27.7% last season. If he can regain his shooting touch, defenders will have to respect him on the perimeter, opening up driving lanes for Acuff. Acuff's ability to explode off screens could become a secret weapon for the Kings, giving Murray easy catch-and-shoot opportunities rather than the off-balance attempts he often takes from Sabonis's handoffs. It is a strategy worth exploring as the Kings embrace this transition year. Now is the time to test new ideas, and Murray unlocking this skill could lay the foundation for sustained success.
Article commentary
The Kings' decision to explore Murray as a screen setter reflects a broader trend of positional versatility in the NBA. While Murray's shooting slump raises concerns, his track record of rapid improvement suggests he can adapt. The key will be whether the coaching staff commits to this experiment during a season where wins are secondary. If successful, it could elevate Acuff's rookie impact and reshape the team's offensive flow. However, the risk is that forcing Murray into an unfamiliar role disrupts his rhythm. The data shows he has been effective in his current role, so any change should be gradual and measured.