Keegan Murray, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star and Sacramento Kings forward, has found himself at the center of a jaw-dropping trade rumor. While Murray has shown flashes of brilliance in the NBA, his inconsistent performance has left analysts questioning his ceiling. Now, his name is making waves in a wild three-team trade proposal that could shake up the league.
Roham Raman of Hawks on SI has outlined an audacious trade involving the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, and Atlanta Hawks. In this blockbuster deal, Murray would land with the reigning champions in Boston, while the Kings would acquire Celtics star Jaylen Brown. The trade also includes other major pieces, such as Boston gaining DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valančiūnas, and a haul of draft picks, but Murray’s inclusion steals the spotlight for Iowa fans.
Murray, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is coming off a lackluster 2024-25 season with Sacramento. He averaged 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game, shooting 44.4% from the field, 34.3% from three, and 83.3% from the free-throw line. While he showed improvement in the second half of the season, the campaign fell short of expectations for the 24-year-old forward, who was heralded as a two-way force during his time at Iowa.
At Iowa, Murray was a dynamic offensive weapon and a stout defender, but his NBA journey has been uneven. His defensive prowess has translated well, with consistent flashes of elite perimeter and interior defense over his three seasons. However, his offensive game has been a rollercoaster. After shooting an impressive 41.1% from beyond the arc as a rookie, Murray’s three-point efficiency has declined each year, raising concerns about his ability to rediscover the scoring touch that made him a lottery pick.
A move to Boston could be the perfect remedy. The Celtics have a proven track record of maximizing talent—just look at Derrick White, who transformed into an All-Star-caliber guard under Brad Stevens’ system. A change of scenery might unlock Murray’s potential, providing him with a fresh opportunity to thrive in a winning environment surrounded by elite teammates.
While this trade proposal is still speculative, it’s hard to ignore the excitement surrounding Murray’s potential fit with the Celtics. Could Boston be the next stop for the Iowa Hawkeyes legend? Only time will tell, but this blockbuster rumor has NBA fans buzzing.