KEEGAN MURRAY

They have value in points leagues and DFS formats, but shortcomings in their game have dragged down their value in nine-cat fantasy leagues. Let's take a look at the biggest names in the 2022 NBA Draft and highlight some lesser-known rookies fantasy managers should be keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches. 101 in per-game value, which doesn't correlate with the value he's provided for Orlando. Kessler has already had plenty of playing time with Vanderbilt in the fold, but the rookie's role would presumably increase if Utah finds a trade partner. However, he doesn't contribute much in other areas, and his turnovers and low free-throw percentage significantly limit his fantasy value.

As of Wednesday, Murray is the only rookie who ranks inside the top 120 in nine-cat, per-game value. That’s especially true in points leagues, where Banchero has been a borderline top-50 option thanks to his exceptional points, rebounds and assists numbers. Overall, he’s shooting 56 percent from the field during that stretch. Walker Kessler, JazzThe word is officially out on Kessler, though he's still available in nearly 30 percent of Yahoo leagues, as of Wednesday. Over the last eight games (seven starts), Kessler is posting 11.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting 67.2 percent from the field.

There’s indeed a growing sense among rival teams that Indiana will search for upgrades ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, albeit with an eye trained toward players who fit the Pacers’ long-term vision. We’ll learn more about Indiana’s accelerated timeline by the result of the Pacers’ final contract discussions with Turner. After Utah’s early-season success, league personnel are expecting the Jazz to reintroduce another seller into the trade deadline. Jordan Clarkson is not considered a trade candidate at this time, as Utah would like to keep the veteran scorer beyond this season, sources said. There is also a financial aspect that may underscore the Sixers’ trade deadline efforts if the right upgrades don’t materialize.

Domantas Sabonis had 25 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Sacramento Kings beat the skidding Houston Rockets 135-115.

Harrison Barnes scored a season-high 30 points and the Sacramento Kings hit a franchise record 23 3-pointers to beat the Orlando Magic 136-111.

By this point in the NBA calendar, we have a solid sample size by which to judge the 2022 rookie class. This season, especially, availability is a major asset, but the overall point remains: In terms of fantasy value, the 2022 rookie class has been a major disappointment thus far. 1 fantasy rookie in the class, though, to me at least, Banchero vs. Chet Holmgren remains a fun debate in dynasty formats. Over his last four games, Mathurin is seeing just 23.0 minutes per game and averaging 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Jaden Ivey, PistonsFantasy-wise, Ivey and Mathurin have been comparable fantasy assets as we near the halfway point.

Through 11 appearances, Banchero has topped the 20-point mark nine times, averaging 23.5 points per game on 46.1% shooting. While he’s launching 3.9 attempts per game, he’s hitting at only a 25.6% clip. In the seven games since, he's down to just 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.7 threes on 40.0% shooting. On the season, that brings Murray to 12.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.3 made threes – a well-rounded stat line for any rookie. He’s only an average rebounder for his position, and he hasn’t contributed much in terms of assists, steals or blocks.

I've always been leery of drafting rookies in fantasy basketball outside of the obvious franchise-altering talents — you know, the LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Davis types. Through the first week of the fantasy basketball season, we have four rookies within the top 100 in per-game value: Banchero, Jabari Smith Jr, Keegan Murray and Bennedict Mathurin. I recently saw a trade go down in one of my competitive leagues that was essentially Keegan Murray for Josh Giddey. His fantasy value is getting dinged for lack of threes, turnovers and below-average field-goal percentage. I think Paolo finishes in the top 70 in per-game value, with turnovers and his lack of three-pointers being the main hindrances to his fantasy value.

That means it's time to begin preparing for fantasy basketball drafts, which will begin tipping off in earnest over the next several weeks. [Get in on the fun this fantasy hoops season: Create or join a league now!] Regardless, Banchero is clearly the top fantasy rookie at this point with an early Yahoo ADP of 71.0 as of Wednesday. Keegan Murray, KingsUnlike Smith, Murray was on the short list of rookies who definitively boosted their stock at Summer League. If they don’t add another big man before the start of the season, Kessler is absolutely worth a later-round pick.

NBA: California Classic-Miami Heat at Sacramento Kings Jul 3, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at the California Summer League at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports - 18686927The Sacramento Kings are counting on No. 4 pick Keegan Murray this season, and the rookie out of Iowa reportedly is doing everything he can to be ready. According to a league source, Keegan Murray underwent a minor procedure on his right wrist to clean out some loose bodies. pic.twitter.com/TmTfuN6khD — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 9, 2022Murray joins an incredibly-young Kings squad that features fellow first-rounders De'Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell in the backcourt.

Standout twin brothers Keegan and Kris Murray had their jerseys retired Thursday at DME Academy.

NBA: California Classic-Miami Heat at Sacramento Kings Jul 3, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) before the game against the Miami Heat at the California Summer League at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports - 18686909LAS VEGAS — Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray got an early taste of the spotlight. 4 overall draft pick went head-to-head with top pick Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic in one of the most exciting games at NBA Summer League. On the latest episode of the “Posted Up with Chris Haynes” podcast, Murray talked about his Summer League experience, what he thinks of Sacramento, the draft process and more. “Paolo is a great, great player.

Subscribe to Posted Up with Chris HaynesApple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google PodcastsSacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray sits down with Chris Haynes from the Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, to break down his experience since last month's draft. The forward out of Iowa talks about his mindset on blocking out the noise on social media and preparing to play against the pros. What are the 4th overall pick's aspirations for his first season? Make sure to tune in every week as Chris sits down with the best and brightest from around the game of basketball. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.com/podcastsThis article originally appeared on Yahoo Sports at https://sports.yahoo.com/kings-rookie-keegan-murray-on-summer-league-success-prepping-for-the-nba-175157255.html

Grizzlies 76ers Basketball Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia shoots a 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of an NBA summer league basketball game Tuesday, July 5, 2022, in Salt Lake City. 2 pick in the draft also had seven rebounds, four assists and a Salt Lake City Summer League-record six blocks in 24 minutes. 12 pick out of Santa Clara, added 17 points to help Oklahoma City spoil the debut of new Utah coach Will Hardy. Jovic has played for Mega Basket in the Serbian league, averaging 11.7 points on 43% shooting in that league this past season. 19 pick out of Wake Forest, made four of Memphis' 15 3-pointers, and the Grizzlies won the opening game in Salt Lake City.

No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren shined in his debut, scoring 13 of his 23 points in the first quarter to help the Thunder build an early 20-point lead en route to a 98-77 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Paolo Banchero thinks he should be No. 1.

Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, Auburn's Jabari Smith and Duke's Paolo Banchero are set to make it a forward-heavy start to the NBA draft.

And it's a big reason why he is The Associated Press men’s college basketball national player of the year. Tshiebwe was the clear choice for the award announced Friday, receiving 46 of 60 votes from AP Top 25 voters. Tshiebwe thrived all season while averaging 15.1 rebounds, the highest per-game output in Division I since 1980. You have to know that.”Rick Mancino watched Tshiebwe learning those rebounding lessons as his high school coach at Kennedy Catholic in Pennsylvania. “I just think he realized how big rebounding is in the game, where with a lot of kids, it’s not a glamorous job,” Mancino said.

Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky is The Associated Press men's college basketball player of the year.

Jacob Gilyard scored 24 points and 12th-seeded Richmond leaned on its graduate senior-experienced lineup to defeat Big Ten champion Iowa 67-63 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

College basketball guru, Scott Gleeson, gives us his predictions on who he thinks will end up in the Final Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

B10 Iowa Purdue Basketball Iowa forward Keegan Murray celebrates at the end of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Indianapolis. The Fighting Illini never had a first-team pick until Ayo Dosunmu made it last season when Cockburn was voted to the second team. And the Hawkeyes had not had a first-team selection since the 1952 season until Luka Garza, last year's AP player of the year, made his second consecutive appearance in the five-man team. Throw in Wisconsin's Johnny Davis and the Big Ten was well represented Tuesda on the AP's first team, which also included Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe — this year's player of the year favorite — and Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji. 1 draft pick Jabari Smith of Auburn and Benedict Mathurin of Arizona rounded out the second team.

Keegan Murray has given Iowa a first-team Associated press All-American for the third straight year.

Keegan Murray has given Iowa a first-team Assocaited Press All-American for the third straight year, and Kofi Cockburn has made it two in a row for Illinois — not bad for a couple programs that haven't had a whole lot of them. The Fighting Illini never had a first-team pick until Ayo Dosunmu made it last season when Cockburn was voted to the second team. Throw in Wisconsin's Johnny Davis and the Big Ten was well represented Tuesda on the AP's first team, which also included Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe — this year's player of the year favorite — and Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji.

2s and the defending champion, Baylor, is the other top seed and a force to be reckoned with again, too. This year, the women's tournament is being branded as "March Madness," just like the men's. Also, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, one of dozens who switched schools via the amped-up transfer portal that is displaying a penchant for reshaping college hoops — and college sports — in the blink of an eye. “It’s all about staying in the moment and having more fun than anybody in the tournament,” said Tshiebwe's coach, John Calipari. 2 seed is terrific.”___More AP coverage of March Madness: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

College basketball fans hungering for a return to normal this March should feel happy.

B10 Iowa Purdue Basketball Iowa forward Keegan Murray (15) shoots over Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Indianapolis. 9 Purdue 75-66 to win its first Big Ten Tournament championship since 2006 and earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Hawkeyes won their first title since 2006, one week after the Iowa women won the Big Ten tourney on the same court. Indianapolis native Tony Perkins had 11 points and four assists for the Hawkeyes while Payton Sandfort added 10 points. BIG PICTUREIowa: A strong finish — and tourney title — could propel the Hawkeyes to a top-five seed, maybe even a No.

Keegan Murray had 19 points and 11 rebounds as No. 24 Iowa beat No. 9 Purdue 75-66 to win its first Big Ten Tournament championship since 2006 and earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Jordan Bohannon banked in a 3-pointer from just inside the midcourt logo with 0.8 seconds left, lifting No. 24 Iowa over ninth-seeded Indiana 80-77 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

No. 24 Iowa celebrated Fran McCaffery's 400th game at the school with a memorable offensive performance. Keegan Murray scored 26 points, and the Hawkeyes broke Big Ten Tournament records for scoring, field goals and 3-pointers while running away from Northwestern for a 112-76 victory Thursday. Murray was 11 of 16 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds.

No. 20 Illinois locked up a share of the Big Ten regular-season title when Kofi Cockburn had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead a 74-72 win over No. 24 Iowa.

APTOPIX Iowa Iowa St Basketball Iowa State guard Izaiah Brockington (1) celebrates after a 3-point basket during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. 17 Iowa State dominated rival Iowa in a 73-53 victory Thursday night. Tyrese Hunter added 11 points for Iowa State. Iowa State went on a 15-2 run and built a 31-19 advantage. It'll be a few weeks before Iowa State can add to its list of impressive victories.

Izaiah Brockington had 29 points and 10 rebounds as No. 17 Iowa State dominated rival Iowa in a 73-53 victory.

2 Purdue held off a late Iowa rally to win 77-70 on Friday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Williams said Purdue needs to find ways to win when it isn't shooting well. Patrick McCaffery led Iowa with 15 points. I thought Iowa was tougher than us..”Iowa had 29 fouls, 11 more than Purdue. The Boilermakers shot 42% in the opening half while holding Iowa to 27%, For the game, Purdue shot 42% and Iowa 40%“They deserved to be No.

Jaden Ivey scored 19 points, Trevion Williams had 13 points and 18 rebounds, and No. 2 Purdue held off a late Iowa rally to win 77-70 in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Oregon players celebrate following a second-round game against Iowa. When another kink surfaced in the NCAA Tournament, the resilient, adaptable Ducks shook it off and soared. Chris Duarte scored 23 points and Oregon showed no signs of rust after a long layoff, beating No. 2 seed Iowa 95-80 on Monday to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past five NCAA Tournaments. “We did and it was a lot of fun.”The Ducks' sweet offensive movements left the Hawkeyes (22-9) flailing, one game short of the Sweet 16 for the fourth time under Fran McCaffery.

Iowa center Luka Garza reacts after making a basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)IOWA CITY, Iowa – Luka Garza scored 21 points and had 16 rebounds as No. It was the 12th double-double of the season for Garza, who leads the Big Ten in scoring and is third in the nation. Micah Potter shot 9 for 12 and scored 23 points for Wisconsin (16-11, 10-10), which has lost five of six. Iowa: Big Ten tournament quarterfinals at Indianapolis on Friday.

Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon (3) shoots against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. 10 Iowa, but otherwise, 14th-ranked Rutgers managed to stifle the Big Ten's top offense. Garza scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half and Iowa took advantage of Rutgers' abysmal free-throw shooting for a 77-75 victory Saturday. Rutgers (7-2, 3-2 Big Ten) has struggled at the foul line this season, hitting just 62%. “Wins and losses happen, but what we took away from today is we got to hit foul shots,” Rutgers guard Ron Harper Jr. said.

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)IOWA CITY, Iowa – Luka Garza and Jack Nunge came to Iowa in the same recruiting class. 3 Iowa stayed unbeaten with a 99-58 win over Western Illinois on Thursday night. “It’s been a long road for me — it’s been over a year since I’ve played a game,” Nunge said. “You can watch film all you want on Garza,” Western Illinois coach Rob Jeter said. Iowa led 48-26 at halftime before Western Illinois (0-1) reeled off an early second-half run to get to 61-46.