Trey Murphy III is putting up the kind of numbers that usually earn you a ticket to the NBA All-Star Game. But in a league where winning still matters, personal accolades often take a backseat to team success - and Murphy knows it.
The third-year forward is averaging 22.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting a blistering 50.3% from the field. That kind of production, especially with his size and shooting range, should be turning heads across the league. And it is - just not necessarily in the way you’d think.
The Pelicans are 10-33 and sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. That record has a way of muting even the most impressive stat lines. And Murphy isn’t sugarcoating it.
“If you don’t win games, you don’t get rewarded with personal accolades,” he said this week. “No matter how well I’m doing, it doesn’t matter because we’re not winning games.”
That kind of honesty is rare - and telling. It’s a reflection of where Murphy’s head is at: locked in on the bigger picture, not chasing individual shine. And frankly, it’s what you want from a young cornerstone.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore just how much his game has grown. Murphy has evolved into a legitimate two-way threat - a long, athletic wing who can stretch the floor, guard multiple positions, and make smart plays with the ball. He’s not just filling up the box score; he’s doing it efficiently and within the flow of the game.
That’s why, despite the Pelicans’ struggles, his name is popping up in trade talks. But if teams are hoping to pry him away, they better come strong. According to league insider Brett Siegel, New Orleans has made it clear: any conversation involving Murphy or Herb Jones starts with multiple unprotected first-round picks.
That’s not just a negotiating tactic - it’s a statement. The Pelicans aren’t looking for a quick reset.
They’re betting on their young core, even in the middle of a brutal season. Alongside Zion Williamson and Herb Jones, Murphy is part of a group the front office sees as foundational.
The message is clear: development over desperation.
That hasn’t stopped teams like the Portland Trail Blazers from kicking the tires, per multiple reports. Murphy’s age, defensive versatility, and elite shooting profile make him a coveted asset for any team looking to build for the future. But New Orleans doesn’t appear interested in selling low - or selling at all.
For now, Murphy’s focus remains on the court. He’s not campaigning for All-Star votes or chasing headlines. He’s grinding through a tough season, trying to help his team find its footing.
And that mindset might be more valuable than any stat line.