As the NBA trade deadline looms and the New Orleans Pelicans sit at the bottom of the league with a 10-35 record, the franchise finds itself at a crossroads. There’s plenty of chatter about potential moves, possible shakeups, and long-term direction. But amid all the uncertainty, there’s one thing that feels close to unanimous in New Orleans: Trey Murphy III isn’t going anywhere.
And frankly, he shouldn’t.
Murphy has emerged as the Pelicans’ brightest spot in an otherwise dim season. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s anchoring this team with poise, versatility, and a scoring touch that has him flirting with elite company.
Averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, Murphy has taken a leap this year. Over his last five outings, he’s ramped that scoring up to 25.8 points per night, showing he’s not just consistent-he’s trending upward.
What really sets Murphy apart, though, is how efficiently he’s doing it. This isn’t a volume scorer who needs 25 shots to get his 25 points.
He’s putting up near-historic shooting splits: 49.7% from the field, 38.7% from three, and 89.7% from the free-throw line. That’s within striking distance of the vaunted 50/40/90 club-one of the NBA’s most exclusive statistical achievements.
To get there, Murphy needs to bump his field goal percentage by 0.3%, his three-point clip by 1.3%, and his free-throw rate by 0.3%. That’s not a massive leap.
It’s doable, especially for a player with Murphy’s mechanics and shot selection. If he hits those marks by season’s end, he’ll become just the eighth player in league history to join the club.
For context, the list includes names like Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Steve Nash. That’s not just good company-that’s Hall of Fame company.
And while the numbers are impressive, what they represent is even more important. Murphy isn’t just a scorer-he’s a three-level threat who plays within the flow of the game, defends multiple positions, and can take over in crunch time. He’s shown that he can be a foundational piece, not just a role player or a hot hand.
At 25 years old, Murphy is still a few years away from his prime, which makes his current production all the more exciting. He’s already shown he can carry the offensive load when needed, and his defensive versatility gives him staying power in any lineup.
As the Pelicans evaluate their options ahead of the deadline-whether that means going all-in on a star, retooling the roster, or hitting the reset button-Murphy’s role in the future shouldn’t be up for debate. In a season that’s been short on wins and long on questions, Trey Murphy III has been the answer more often than not.
He’s not just a bright spot. He’s a building block.