How Kris Murray Fits with the OKC Thunder

With the Oklahoma City Thunder entering the offseason, it’s officially time to time to switch gears to prospect evaluation mode.

And this year’s impending draft has plenty of players that can help bolster the OKC core.

No matter how unlikely it is Oklahoma City lands certain prospects, the Thunder Fit series will take a look at how they would fit with the current team’s configuration. And with a war chest of assets, you never know how far the front office could move up to acquire a player.

The next prospect up in the series is Iowa forward Kris Murray, who saw a massive jump in production last season for the Hawkeyes.

Here’s how Murray could fit alongside the rest of the Thunder core:

Offense

Murray shouldered the load for a solid Iowa team last season, averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 48 percent and 34 percent from three on nearly seven attempts.

At 6-foot-8, we have a sort've template for what Kris can be in the NBA in his brother, Keegan, who was massively impactful to the Sacramento Kings in a race for the playoffs.

Kris would function similarly in the Thunder offense, playing off of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams, primarily functioning as a catch-and-shoot threat with cutting and slashing mixed between.

Suffice to say, his fit in the OKC offense seems, at least on-paper, to be a good one.

Defense

Defensively, Murray has a solid floor and ceiling due to his frame, and was a solid defensive playmaker at Iowa averaging 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

The jump from college to the NBA is never an easy one, but Murray would likely be able to hold his own for awhile until he could really get up to speed.

On the wing, Murray would be another lengthy weapon alongside Luguentz Dort and Chet Holmgren to help anchor the Thunder defense.

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