The Trail Blazers have officially inked new power forward Kris Murray to his rookie scale deal, per a team press release.
Terms of the agreement have not been released, but the deal will most likely pay him $2.8MM to start of his four-year deal.
Portland selected the 6’8″ forward with the No. 23 pick out of Iowa in this year’s draft. Though he wasn’t as starry a prospect as his Trail Blazers first round selection, third overall pick Scoot Henderson of the G League Ignite, the 22-year-old Murray is still an intriguing, decorated young player. Henderson also officially agreed to terms on his rookie scale deal with Portland recently.
A consensus All-America Third Teamer during his third and final season with the Hawkeyes in 2022/23, Murray averaged 20.2 PPG on .476/.335/.729 shooting splits, along with 7.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 BPG and 1.0 SPG. He was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team for his efforts.
As is the case for all first-round draft picks, Portland will have team options on the third and fourth seasons of Murray’s rookie contract. Though most signings and trades cannot be completed during the league’s July moratorium as the 2023/24 season officially gets underway, rookie contracts are an exception to that rule.
I hope they 2-way him and re-sign Watford
Welcome to Portland Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray and Ryan Rupert! I think most portland fans are baffled by Cronin letting Watford and Eubanks go. Eubanks was their best rim protector and was improving on offense. Watford had great energy and is a glue guy, he was improving fast. So far this team’s grades an A+ draft and a D- free agent moves. I like Grant but there is no way he’s option #1 on offense, with Lillard most likely gone. Hopefully N’Urkle goes too and they can get a decent defensive center. Most of the bigs have been let go, besides Nurk and Grant. Hopefully Cronin has someone already lined up to bring in? Maybe he’s working on that with the Lillard move?