Oct 8, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during player introductions before the game against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
What is up with Kings players and thumb injuries? For the third straight year, a Kings player has been diagnosed with a bad thumb injury, this time as Keegan Murray will be out at least 4-6 weeks with a torn UCL in his left hand. Keegan’s the team’s only true wing player, and arguably the team’s best defender, often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player. An already thin position has now been made even thinner with the season just around the corner. With just two preseason games remaining, those games are more crucial than ever in deciding how the Kings navigate this early portion of the schedule without one of their most important players. As far as I see it, Doug Christie has limited options available to him.
### Option A: The boring but safe route – Dario Saric
If this injury had happened last season, Trey Lyles almost certainly would have been elevated to the starting lineup, or if it was in the later part of the season, Jake LaRavia. Lyles and LaRavia are no longer on the team however, but the Kings do have another stretch 4 that has some veteran experience now in Dario Saric. Saric isn’t the exciting option, but he is a player who has plenty of NBA experience, will space the floor with his outside shooting (career 36% from three) and should at least provide a modicum of stability. Defensively he isn’t going to be bringing much, but there probably isn’t a great option on that end of the floor right now for the Kings anyway.
### Option B: The less boring but less safe route – Isaac Jones
Isaac Jones is an ideal candidate to step into Murray’s role, as his athleticism is something the Kings frontcourt currently lacks. Jones is much more of a true 4 than Keegan however, and I do worry about the spacing while he’s on the floor. While he’s been incredibly efficient so far in his limited NBA action, 90+% of his FGA have come within 10 feet. Even at the G-League level, Jones never showed a ton of range, making just 26.3% of his attempts on that end of the floor on just 3.2 shots a game. A frontcourt of DeMar DeRozan, Isaac Jones and Domantas Sabonis would see the paint incredible crowded as opposing teams dare the Kings to shoot.
### Option C: The start your best players route – Keon Ellis
This option is one that I don’t think will happen as the starting lineup but probably will happen throughout games. Ellis is the team’s most capable defender outside of Murray, and moving him into the starting lineup at least gives the Kings some strength on that end while not losing too much, if anything, offensively. The issue of course is moving LaVine up to SF and DeRozan up to PF which is fine on offense but will be incredibly demanding and likely ineffective on the other end. It might be worth it to just have our best players on the floor however.
### Option D: The exciting and forward thinking route – Nique Clifford or Maxime Raynaud
Now if Coach Christie goes with Option D, I will be intrigued. Both A and B are safer routes, but putting one of the young guys in such an important position early might be the best for the team going forward. Let’s be honest: this team should be focused on developing the youth because this team is closer to a full rebuild than it is to contender status. Throwing these guys into the fire early might have some growing pains, but it’s at least building towards something and could pay off down the road as that experience will be invaluable. Also, look at the other options. What’s it really going to hurt by giving a chance to these young players instead? Clifford and Raynaud could be a real part of the future of this team, and giving them meaningful minutes now could pay dividends in the long run. It would also give the Kings some interesting new looks. Raynaud is 7’1 which paired with Sabonis would give the Kings some actual size up front. He’s also showcased some nice passing skills in summer league as well as blossoming ability to stretch the floor from distance. Clifford is a jack of all trades who has shown the ability to be a secondary playmaker while also offering some defensive length and intensity on defense as well. Yes, this would be a big jump in responsibility for either player, but what do the Kings have to lose by trying at this point? Plus, it’s not like they’ll be out there on their own as the Kings will be surrounding them with their best players. This is the exact type of environment that Keegan Murray thrived in during his rookie season.
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It’s clear which option I would choose, but I’m less optimistic the Kings will go that route despite [some signs that Maxime Raynaud](https://x.com/JandersonSacBee/status/1977462925544812674) may get the nod given he was practicing with the starters the other day. We’ll know more following these next couple of preseason games, and I’d love to see the Kings use both games to test out different options, because what is preseason for if not for experimenting? I think it’d also be a good idea to get one of the young guys some starting experience now because come February, a couple of these starting roles might just open up if the Kings look to offload some of their veterans by the deadline and having some experience there already would make the transition easier. And when Keegan comes back, having these young guys involved early on could open up some more intriguing lineup options as well.