NBA Notes: Latest on Kings’ Murray; Mo Bamba lands with Jazz; Wizards promote Watkins

Kings

It has been that kind of season for Keegan Murray.

Murray, already limited to just 23 games after thumb surgery and multiple lower-leg issues, re-injured his left ankle Wednesday in Houston, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. He rolled the same ankle in the first quarter and did not return.

Sacramento owns the league’s worst record at 13-47, so there’s little incentive to rush its fourth-year forward back. The Kings signed Murray to a five-year, $140 million rookie-scale extension last fall, and he remains a central piece of the franchise’s long-term plans.

Whether this latest setback leads to another extended absence remains to be seen. Given the standings, caution would not be surprising.

Jazz

Center Mo Bamba has signed a 10-day contract with the Jazz, the team confirmed. The deal runs through March 7 and covers Utah’s next six games.

Bamba, the sixth overall pick in 2018, spent training camp with Utah before heading to the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars. He has averaged 17.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks there while shooting efficiently.

Opportunity may follow. Utah’s frontcourt has been hit hard by injuries, with Walker Kessler, Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr. all sidelined. Bamba will earn $177,064 on the 10-day, with a $131,970 cap hit.

Wizards

Washington continues rewarding internal development.

The Wizards are promoting two-way wing Jamir Watkins to a standard two-year contract, per ESPN. Watkins, the 43rd overall pick in 2025, has averaged 8.2 points over his past 16 games and has scored in double figures in six straight.

He joins Tristan Vukcevic as recent two-way promotions. Washington had an open roster spot after Alondes Williams’ 10-day expired, so no corresponding move was required.

With Sharife Cooper and Leaky Black remaining on two-way deals, the Wizards continue leaning into evaluation mode.