NBA Notes: Kings, Keegan Murray, Celtics, Ron Harper Jr, waiver wire

Kings

The Kings have reached a deal with forward Keegan Murray on a five-year, $140 million rookie extension, per Shams Charania of ESPN. The contract has no player or team options and runs through 2031, making Murray the longest-committed player on Sacramento’s roster.

Murray, 25, was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft and has developed into a reliable two-way forward. He averaged 15.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in his breakout sophomore season before slightly regressing last year as the Kings added more scoring punch with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

Even so, Murray remains a core piece of Sacramento’s future and is aiming high — telling reporters that his goals this season are to hit 40 percent from three and win Most Improved Player. He recently had thumb surgery and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Meanwhile, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports that Sacramento will sign and waive DaQuan Jeffries so he can join the Stockton Kings in the G League.

Jeffries, who averaged 6.7 points last season for the Hornets, began his career with the Kings back in 2019 and should earn an Exhibit 10 bonus if he spends at least 60 days in Stockton.

We have more on the NBA’s sign-and-waive process and why it happens right here.

Celtics

The Celtics have waived rookie RJ Luis, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Luis was on a two-way deal after being acquired from Utah in a trade involving Georges Niang and two second-round picks.

Luis, the Big East Player of the Year at St. John’s, averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in college but saw limited action this preseason. His departure opens a two-way slot, and Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe notes that Ron Harper Jr. could be a candidate to fill it.

Harper Jr. is the son of former Cavaliers, Bulls and Lakers guard Ron Harper and the brother of Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

Cuts Roundup

A few more camp cuts hit the NBA transaction wire, with Deivon Smith (Hawks), Malachi Smith (Nets) and James Akinjo (Nuggets) all being waived, as relayed by HoopsRumors.

Deivon Smith wrapped a five-year college career at St. John’s and averaged 9.3 points and 3.9 assists last season.

Akinjo, another 6-foot-1 guard, averaged 15.7 points and 8.2 assists in the G League for the Wisconsin Herd.

Malachi Smith, who spent last year with the Memphis Hustle, received a $42,650 partial guarantee in Brooklyn designed to help the Nets stay above the minimum salary floor.

All three are expected to join their teams’ G League affiliates.