Kris Murray: 2023 NBA Draft Projections

The 2023 NBA Draft is just a few days away (Thursday, June 22, 7:00 PM CT, ESPN) and for the third-straight season, Iowa should have a player hear his name called during the draft. More importantly, for the second-straight season, an Iowa player should be selected in the first round of the draft. Keegan Murray became the highest-drafted Hawkeye player to be taken in the NBA Draft last season when he was taken fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings.

This year, Kris Murray should hear his name called on Thursday night -- though not as early in the process as his brother did last season. Kris' draft stock isn't as high as Keegan's was a year ago, due to being a year older (23 in a few months) and not being quite the prospect that his twin brother was. Still, Kris is widely tabbed to hear his name called during the first round of this year's draft.

Last year Keegan Murray became the first Iowa player taken in the first round of the draft since Ricky Davis in 1998. If Kris Murray joins his brother in becoming a first-round selection this year, it will be the first time that Iowa has had players taken in the first round of the NBA Draft in consecutive seasons in over 50 years. In 1970, John Johnson was taken seventh overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 1971, Fred Brown was drafted sixth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics. That would be some very exclusive company for the Murray twins to join.

So where are the mock drafts projecting Kris Murray to go and what do they say about his game? Let's take a look.

Mock Drafters: Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo
Last Updated: June 14, 2023

PICK: #24 Sacramento Kings

ANALYSIS: "The Kings are hoping to further shift toward contending in the West and are believed to be primarily eyeing more experienced college players at this pick. ... His shooting and versatility create a solid value floor, and while he profiles best as a role player due to the fact he's not a dynamic ball handler, Murray seems likely to help a team in relatively short order. "

Mock Drafter: Kyle Boone
Last Updated: June 18, 2023

PICK: #21 Brooklyn Nets

ANALYSIS: Murray had a breakout season for Iowa averaging north of 20 points per game while showing off range as a 3-point shooter. He's a combo forward who brings versatility, polish and size.

Mock Drafter: Sam Vecenie
Last Updated: June 15, 2023

PICK: #19 Golden State Warriors

ANALYSIS: "Murray isn’t quite his brother in terms of effectiveness. He’s not the shooter Keegan is and is not quite as athletic. But he’s a 6-8, well-rounded wing who stepped into Keegan’s role at Iowa and averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game. And across the league, teams continue to look for wings with real size and athleticism who can immediately step in and play. At 22 years old, Murray figures to provide genuine value within the first two years of his career as a rotation three/four with a starter’s upside."

Mock Drafter: Kevin O'Connor
Last Updated: June 20, 2023

PICK: #27 Charlotte Hornets

ANALYSIS: "After the Hornets draft Brandon Miller early, let’s roll with another forward here. After all, Gordon Hayward won't last forever, and both Kelly Oubre Jr. and PJ Washington are free agents. Murray could slide right in and receive early minutes like his twin brother, Keegan, did for the Kings as a rookie."

More detailed breakdown here.

Mock Drafter: Kyle Irving
Last Updated: June 13, 2023

PICK: #24 Sacramento Kings

ANALYSIS: "After snapping the longest playoff drought among the four major North American sports, the Kings will look to add an instant-impact player to take another step forward. In need of some frontcourt depth and perimeter shooting, Sacramento should keep things in the family and select Kris Murray, who brings a similar skillset as his identical twin, Keegan, who the Kings took with a top-five pick last year."

Mock Drafter: Bryan Kalbrosky
Last Updated: June 16, 2023

PICK: #24 Sacramento Kings

ANALYSIS: "Iowa’s Kris Murray averaged 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists while adding 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game for Iowa.

He was one of just three players in Division I men’s college basketball to record at least 200 rebounds, 30 steals, 30 blocks and 60 3-pointers last season. The other two were Brandon Miller and Taylor Hendricks. It was a successful campaign during his first-ever season playing without his twin brother, Keegan Murray."

Mock Drafter: Brett Siegel
Last Updated: June 19, 2023

PICK: #19 Golden State Warriors

ANALYSIS: "If [the Warriors] stay in this spot, Iowa’s Kris Murray can instantly be a source of scoring and wing depth. Like his brother Keegan Murray with the Sacramento Kings, Kris is just a smart player who understands his role and can be a catch-and-shoot threat. The Warriors need secondary players who can help them get back to the NBA Finals, and Murray is certainly an impactful prospect who is ready to contribute right away."

Mock Drafter: Krysten Peek
Last Updated: June 19, 2023

PICK: #24 Sacramento Kings

ANALYSIS: "Murray is one of the best 3-and-D guards in this draft class, and Kings fans probably. would love to see Murray reunited with his twin brother, Keegan, who the Kings drafted with the No. 4 pick last year. Murray is one of the older, more established players in this draft class and can add some instant 3-point shooting and defensive versatility to the secondary group on a Kings team that made the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.

Mock Drafter: Jonathan Wasserman
Last Updated: June 2, 2023

PICK: #28 Utah Jazz

ANALYSIS: "Murray comes off as NBA-ready with similar shot-making and off-ball scoring skills as twin brother Keegan."

Mock Drafter: n/a
Last Updated: June 19, 2023

PICK: #24 Sacramento Kings

ANALYSIS: "Brother of Keegan, Kris is a smooth and versatile forward who put up big numbers this past season. Looks very NBA ready."

Mock Drafter: n/a
Last Updated: June 16, 2023

PICK: #21 Brooklyn Nets

ANALYSIS: n/a

Mock Drafter: n/a
Last Updated: June 19, 2023

PICK: #22 Brooklyn Nets

ANALYSIS: n/a

Murray's status as a round one NBA Draft pick doesn't appear to be in any doubt -- he's a unanimous selection in all of the mock drafts listed here. Murray should expect to hear his name called in the back half of the draft, likely in the 19-25 range. Teams picking in that range typically look for one of two types of player: an experienced, proven player who can contribute immediately or a raw, lottery ticket-type prospect that may be stashed overseas or in the G-League.

Murray would certainly fit in the first group, a soon-to-be 23-year old prospect who has spent three years in college basketball, including a very productive junior campaign in 2022-23 (20.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 33.5% 3FG). There are some questions about Murray's ball-handling skills and his overall ceiling as a shooter, but he projects as a player who can make an immediate impact on offense and defense.

The most common mock draft pick for Murray has him going to the Sacramento Kings with the 24th pick. That would certainly be an interesting move, since it would reunite Kris with his twin brother Keegan Murray. Even if the Kings don't opt to stage a Murray family reunion, it's likely that Murray will be selected in the range of that 24th pick. We'll find out exactly where Kris is headed in just a few days.

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