Kings pick up options on a trio of notable young prospects

The Kings are exercising their 2024-25 rookie scale team options on forward Keegan Murray, guard Davion Mitchell and swingman Chris Duarte, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Murray’s third-year option will pay him $8,809,560 in 2024-25. It was a lock to be picked up after the fourth overall pick made the All-Rookie first team, averaging 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per night with a .411 3PT% last season as a full-time starter for the West’s No. 3 seed.

The fourth-year options for Mitchell and Duarte in 2024-25 will be worth $6,451,077 and $5,893,768, respectively.

The No. 9 overall pick in 2021, Mitchell was a rotation player off the bench for Sacramento last season, averaging 5.6 PPG and 2.3 APG in 80 games (18.1 MPG). He’s known more for his defensive abilities than his contributions on offense.

Duarte was acquired from the Pacers in an offseason trade and is expected to play a role on the wing for the Kings this season. He struggled with his shot and battled injuries last season, but showed promise as a two-way wing as a rookie in 2021-22 when he averaged 13.1 PPG with a .369 3PT%.

The Kings will have to exercise their fourth-year option on Murray for 2025/26 (worth about $11.1MM) by next Oct. 31. Mitchell and Duarte are now on track to become eligible for rookie scale extensions next summer.

We’re tracking all of the 2024/25 rookie scale team option decisions right here.