The Kings' Keegan Murray is expected to receive All-Defense recognition

The Sacramento Kings have had no success over the last two decades, largely due to embarrassing defensive efforts.

After starting player Kevin Huerter was sidelined with injury last season, Keon Ellis took his place and took Sacramento's defense to a new level. With Ellis in the lineup, the Kings fielded a top-ten defense in the NBA, a title unheard of across the franchise in years.

In addition to Ellis, 24-year-old forward Keegan Murray has taken his game to new levels on the defensive side of the ball. Murray developed into one of the league's best three-point shooters in his rookie year, but took on the role of two-way shooter in his second season.

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale made a prediction for every NBA team and expects Murray to receive multiple All-Defense votes in the 2024-25 season.

“The Kings didn't just throw him at everyone because of Stephen Curry to star wings to certified bigs. They did it because they had to, but also because it worked. Murray excelled in so many different game-on-one situations last year, across all types of assignments, while also improving his screen and general floor navigation and proving to be a consistent contributor around the basket.”

“In Sacramento he will have the same level of responsibility – if not a heavier workload. And the rest of the basketball world will take notice. It's too ambitious to predict an all-defense appearance. But he will get votes – a consideration that won.” “It doesn't feel wrong.” – Dan Favale

As a rookie, Murray was an average defender, but he unexpectedly rose to prominence last season. With the addition of DeMar DeRozan, relieving some of the offensive burden on his co-winger, Murray has the opportunity to develop into an elite defender.

Since Metta World Peace was named to the first team in the 2005-06 season, the Kings have not had a player earn All-Defense honors, so it would be huge if Murray received similar recognition.

While Murray, no matter how good he looks defensively, won't be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year or even All-Defensive First Team, he could certainly get a few out-of-market votes for that honor.

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