According to the Sacramento Kings, they will be without Keegan Murray for at least the next four-to-six weeks due to undergoing thumb surgery.

An MRI revealed that the 25-year-old has suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. This injury occurred during the team’s preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

Him getting injured is a rare sight to see, as he’s only missed 13 total games of his young NBA career. Murray has started in 231 career games.

With Sacramento no longer having their starting power forward, and them not having depth at that position, head coach Doug Christie will need to come up with an alternative plan until Murray returns.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Sacramento Kings and Russell Westbrook have “strong mutual interest” and a deal could get done in the future. Sacramento has been one of the only legitimate teams of showing any interest in the veteran point guard.

It isn’t clear when a deal could emerge, but there’s an intense feeling of a potential partnership happening sometime this upcoming season.

“Look, I’m told there is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings. And the Kings have a need for a reserve point guard. They were 29th in bench points, 29th in bench assists last season,” Charania said. “Russell Westbrook helps with that, and he’s got relationships across that organization: Domantas Sabonis, he’s close with, played with him. He played with Dennis Schroeder as well, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine. They have LA ties as well. BJ Armstrong, the new assistant general manager there. He knows BJ Armstrong from the agency side, and he does have respect with Scott Perry, their new general manager, and Doug Christie, their new head coach. We’ll see if a deal gets done before the start of the season or during this upcoming year.”

Fans and experts have expressed their disbelief that the former MVP has not been signed by any team in the NBA. It’s unclear what the exact reasons of him not being on a franchise is, however, it is known his market is very small.

During last season’s run with the Denver Nuggets, the 36-year-old averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals coming primarily off the bench. ‘

Westbrook has not hinted at a possible retirement, as it appears he wants to play another season in the National Basketball Association.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the continued belief coming from the Sacramento organization is that Jonathan Kuminga wants to be a King.

This is revving up even more due to the off-and-on talks between the Golden State Warriors and the 22-year-old.

Reportedly, Sacramento was ready to send a 2030 first-round pick and Malik Monk to Golden State for the superstar prospect. This would have saw Kuminga sign a three-year, $63 million contract.

Whether it is the Kings or another team, to acquire Kuminga, it would have to come through a sign-and-trade.

Kuminga only appeared in 47 games last season. During those appearances, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

In the end, Kuminga wants a larger role than the one he currently has with the Warriors. It’s believed he would get that if on the Kings.