Why Murray believes Kings can end 16-year playoff drought

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  • Programming note: Watch Keegan Murray’s “Kings Central” interview with Kyle Draper on Monday on NBC Sports California, at 6 p.m. PT and again at 10 p.m., after the game

The Kings are 10-8 about a quarter of the way through the 2022-23 NBA season and there's optimism that they can end their 16-year playoff drought.

In the offseason, Kings general manager Monte McNair made several moves that helped position the squad to at least be a contender for a play-in tournament spot. One of those additions was Keegan Murray.

As the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Murray didn't come to Northern California with the mindset of being a passenger on the Kings as he navigates his rookie season.

Instead, the 22-year-old wants to be a contributor that helps bring playoff basketball to Sacramento for the first time in nearly two decades. 

"I just want to win games," Murray told NBC Sports California's Kings play-by-play announcer Kyle Draper in the latest episode of "Kings Central." "So the reason why I came here is to get the Kings back to the playoffs, and that's my ultimate goal right now."

The rookie believes that the team has yet to scratch the surface of its potential despite the squad having impressive wins over the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, and Memphis Grizzlies, three teams that were in the playoffs last season.

Furthermore, Sacramento also went on a seven-game winning streak after starting the season 0-4, so already overcoming adversity to go along with its notable victories.

"I feel like we have a team that's really deep," Murray added. "A lot of guys that can put the ball in the basket, and we've been able to defend well these last couple of games.

"So I think the sky's the limit for our team, and we're just scratching the surface of how good we can be and I'm excited for us to reach that."

RELATED: Malik Monk, not just Kings' victory beam, lighting up 2022-23 season

Although Sacramento currently is sixth in the Western Conference, there are still growing pains the team will deal with, as evidenced by the Kings' inconsistency in their 122-104 loss to the Boston Celtics. 

The Kings will have another test to show the rest of the NBA they are a playoff contender when they face off against the Phoenix Suns on Monday at Golden 1 Center. 

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