Big signing! 5 years, 140 million US dollars! Kings extend Keegan Murray’s contract in advance

Kill like crazy, kill like crazy! The general manager of the Sacramento Kings can be said to be completely crazy! Because in the past 12 hours, the Kings quickly reached two blockbuster signings. He first successfully signed NBA history triple-double king Russell Westbrook with a veteran's minimum salary contract, and then reached an early contract extension with the team's No. 4 pick in the 2022 first round, Keegan Murray!

On October 16, according to ESPN reporter Shams, Keegan Murray, the No. 4 pick in the 2022 first round, and the Sacramento Kings reached an early contract extension worth $140 million for five years. According to a follow-up report by famous reporter Anthony Slater, Keegan Murray's contract extension does not include team or player options.

In the 2024-25 season, Keegan Murray played 76 regular season games on behalf of the Kings, averaging 34.3 minutes per game, contributing 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks, shooting 44.4% from the field, 34.3% from the three-point range, and 83.3% from the free throw line.

According to statistics, Keegan Murray is the only three players in the league to have made more than 500 three-pointers, blocked more than 150 shots, and made more than 150 steals in the past three seasons. The other two are Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and Celtics core guard Derrick White. Therefore, this is probably one of the fundamental reasons why the Kings are willing to provide him with a huge contract extension of 100 million yuan, because this 25-year-old young man has a bright future!

It is reported that the new season will be the last year of Keegan Murray's rookie contract. With Keegan Murray successfully signing a five-year, $140 million early contract extension with the Kings, he became the sixth player this summer to reach an early contract extension for a rookie before the October 20 deadline.

At the same time, Keegan Murray has also become the fifth player in the 2022 draft to sign a 100-million-dollar contract. The first four players are No. 1 pick Benqueiro ($241 million in 5 years), No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren ($241 million in 5 years), Jabari Smith ($122 million in 5 years), and No. 12 pick Jaylen Williams ($241 million in 5 years).

What is particularly worth mentioning is that the King gave Keegan Murray a 100 million yuan contract extension during his injury period! It is reported that Keegan Murray is currently recovering from injury. He suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb three days ago. Keegan Murray will undergo surgery next and is expected to be re-evaluated for the injury in 4-6 weeks. As a result, this means that the Kings will lose Keegan Murray at the start of the new season!

There is no doubt that the Kings have now defined Keegan Murray as the core of the team to train and treat! Otherwise, they don't have to give Keegan Murray a five-year, 140 million contract extension during his injury period. Even if you really want to renew the contract in advance, you can definitely take the opportunity to lower the price!

What you need to know is that Jabari Smith, the top prospect, only received a five-year early contract extension worth US$122 million from the Houston Rockets this summer.

I believe everyone still remembers the fact that the Warriors asked for Keegan Murray during the sign-and-trade negotiations with the Kings on Jonathan Kuminga this summer, right? The Warriors proposed a trade plan for the Kings to package Keegan Murray + Keon Ellis for Jonathan Kuminga, but the move was severely rejected by the Kings.

Congratulations to Keegan Murray for winning a five-year, $140 million early contract extension with his old club, the Kings! May your sesame seeds bloom and grow taller and taller! In the end, he can live up to expectations and grow into the backbone of the king! Come on, Keegan Murray!