Pelicans' Patience with Murphy Could Pay Off Long Term
New Orleans resisted trade offers for forward Trey Murphy III during the offseason. The team reportedly sought at least three first-round picks for him. Murphy posted career highs in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals last season.
Murphy's development has been steady since arriving as a 2021 first-round pick, with scoring averages climbing each season. His 66 starts last year marked a career high in playing time, and he finished with personal bests across four major statistical categories. The Pelicans' poor outside shooting—bottom-five in attempts, makes, and percentage—underscores his importance to the rotation. New Orleans also paired him with rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears, both All-NBA Rookie Second Team selections who lack reliable jumpers and benefit from Murphy's floor-spacing gravity. Defensively, his 6-foot-9 frame allowed him to guard all five positions, contributing to a career-best 1.5 steals per game and a +2.2 net rating.
This decision could shape the Pelicans' competitive trajectory for years, as retaining Murphy signals a commitment to organic growth over short-term fixes. Fans and rival front offices may view the three-first-round asking price as either prudent valuation or an overestimate of his ceiling. If the young core develops around him, the franchise could emerge as a sustained playoff contender; if not, his trade value may depreciate. Other small-market teams facing similar pressure to rebuild might watch closely, weighing patience against the allure of draft capital.