Heading into the 2025-26 season, expectations were incredibly high for New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.
Coming off a 2024-25 campaign that saw him eclipse the 20-point per game mark, many thought there could be an even bigger step coming as he entered his fifth year in the league. With Brandon Ingram out of the picture, the runway was there for Trey Murphy III to take that next step and be the No. 2 scoring option next to Zion Williamson. With his ability to space the floor, create his own shot off the dribble, and be a threat as a downhill scorer, it only made sense that he could reach that 24-25 point per game range. But things didn’t pan out that way.
Murphy III got off to a cold start, shooting 38.5 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from three-point land through the team’s first eight games. While he did shake off his slow start, Murphy III was never able to reach the scoring heights many expected him to reach entering the season. That being said, Murphy III doesn’t deserve all the criticism for not leveling up as a scorer, as the way the New Orleans roster is constructed isn’t helping him.
The Pelicans’ Achilles’ heel all season was floor spacing, as they ranked in the bottom seven in threes made, attempted, and overall three-point percentage. This made reaching the next level incredibly hard for Murphy III, as he was rarely given even an ounce of space by opposing defenses when on the perimeter.
Lack of spacing is holding Trey Murphy III back
With the front office hoping to see this group competitive in the West next season, many have suggested adding more shooters to help open driving lanes for Zion Williamson. However, Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver adding more floor spacers doesn’t just benefit one player—it could open the Pelicans’ offense to new possibilities.
Given the current roster construction, New Orleans doesn’t have the makings of an elite defensive team that holds opponents below 100 points nightly.
What they do have is a ton of offensive weapons, like Murphy III, and to maximize him as both a three-point sniper and a self-creator, running a five-out offense is key. Sure, Murphy III doesn’t have a Kevin Durant-level handle that can see him break down guys and shoot over top of them, but he still has good enough control of the rock to shake defenders. But if help defenders know they can sag off their man and double up because they are guarding a non-shooter, his self-creation ability is easily countered.
Obviously, there will be times where New Orleans will roll out lineups that may struggle with spacing, but that became way too common this past season, and the front office needs to correct that.
Not to say adding shooters is going to magically fix all of the Pelicans’ problems, as they finished 26-56 this past season. That being said, it could help unlock a ton of layers that their offense has been lacking for too long.
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