The New Orleans Pelicans surprised a few people this season in an extremely competitive Western Conference. The Pels ended the year with a 49-33 record to finish seventh in the West and have secured a playoff spot where they face the Oklahoma City Thunder. A healthy Zion Williamson has been a big reason for the team’s success but credited also has to give to some of the team’s young emerging stars.
In a recent episode on The Lowe Post podcast, analyst Zach Lowe discusses the rise of forward Trey Murphy III and the impact he has had on this team. Lowe goes as far as to say the team cannot go another season with Murphy on the bench.
“He’s going to have to start. You’re going to have to figure it out, said Lowe on Murphy’s role. “I don’t know who gets traded, who comes off the bench, whatever happens. There’s just no world in which Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are not starting on the wing next year—zero. They both have to start.”
Zach Lowe says New Orleans absolutely has to start Trey Murphy and Herb Jones together next season
“He’s going to have to start. You’re going to have to figure it out. I don’t know who gets traded, who comes off the bench, whatever happens. There’s just no world in which Trey… pic.twitter.com/djuRTsucBz
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 23, 2024
Murphy and Herbert Jones have a similar build and both play the same position. For the majority of the season, Jones has been preferred by coach Willie Green in the starting lineup. Jones has started 76 regular season games while Murphy has started just 23.
Murphy’s impact against the Thunder in Game 1 of the playoffs seemed to really impress Lowe. He finished with 21 points four rebounds and two assists.
Over the 2023-2024 season, Murphy has averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
