Pelicans’ Trey Murphy Primed For Big 2022-23 NBA Season?

Trey Murphy, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA News
NBA Analysis Network

Every year in the Las Vegas Summer League some players stand out amongst their peers. Usually, it is second-year players that have a year of NBA experience under their belt that come into the Summer League and dominate.

This year was no different. There were several standouts from the 2021 NBA Draft class, including New Orleans’s second-year forward Trey Murphy III. The No. 17 overall pick out of Virginia was a fast riser because of his two-way potential on the wing, who at the very least, would be an impact 3-and-D player.

He was an integral part of the Pelicans rotation as a rookie but still appeared in Las Vegas. But, it quickly became apparent that he wouldn’t need to participate in every game as he was excellent in his two appearances.

Murphy scored 53 points in two games, making 50 percent of his shots overall. Had his normally steady 3-point stroke been on in Las Vegas he would have pushed for 30 points per game, as he made only 4-of-15 attempts. He did make 15-of-17 from the foul line, showing a lot of aggressiveness on offense.

Murphy put in a lot of work this offseason and it was evident when he stepped onto the court. He took full advantage of being the go-to option.

“Just staying aggressive. At the end of the day, I know the stuff I’ve been working on. Just creating off the bounce and things like that,” Murphy said. “I’m not too worried about the shot. If my shot’s falling and I’m getting to the basket like I was tonight, that’ll be a pretty good recipe.”

Whatever he did leading up to Summer League he needs to continue doing as he looked like a totally different player. That could also be because Murphy hit another growth spurt this offseason, as he is at least 6’9 ½ now.

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His performance impressed head coach Jarron Collins, who spoke highly of him following a blowout victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the second game of Summer League.

“I thought Trey did a really good job of letting the game come to him,” Jarron Collins said. “He drove when there were lanes. He shot the 3 with no hesitation. He playmaked and made early, easy passes. When you play like that, it can look easy … because he let the game come to him.”

Expanding his arsenal can only help. The Pelicans will run a lot of their offense through CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, but they are going to need help throughout the marathon known as the NBA regular season.

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Murphy sounds like a player that is ready to take on an expanded role and more responsibility on the offensive end of the court. Lauded for what he brings to the table defensively, he now has the makings of an offensive game to match.

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