The New Orleans Pelicans added Trey Murphy III with the 17th pick in the NBA Draft, a pick that many are calling a home run for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans entered the offseason with some glaring holes that needed fixing and are hoping their two draft picks can be part of the solution.
After enduring weeks of rumors about Zion Williamson‘s camp being unhappy with the Pelicans, David Griffin is trying desperately to find the right combination of players to put around him.
This led to a trade of Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe to Memphis, a move to clear cap space that cost the Pelicans seven spots in the NBA Draft.
But the NBA Draft may have worked out for them anyway, as the Pels were able to nab a guy in Trey Murphy III who should thrive in New Orleans.
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Trey Murphy III should have an instant role
Unlike last year’s top pick Kira Lewis Jr., Trey Murphy III should have a role with the New Orleans Pelicans right away.
Lewis Jr. ended up with the Pelicans because there was no G-League and injuries forced him into backup minutes, so he got some key developmental time as a rookie.
With very little wing depth to speak of and a need for shooting and defense, Murphy III should have a role off the bench right away as a backup and complement to Brandon Ingram at forward.
Murphy III can also play some shooting guard, and that versatility should ensure that he gets minutes right away, especially if he shows he can consistently knock down the NBA 3-point shot, something he should get a lot of.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy III will benefit from Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson draws as much attention as any player in the NBA, often seeing double and triple teams in an effort to keep him from dominating in the post.
So far, teams have not figured out how to stop a 280 lb. point guard, so Zion is going to continue to create gravity and collapse defenses every time he touches the ball.
This is going to create a lot of wide-open shots for guys like Trey Murphy III, and unlike most of the Pelicans last season, Murphy can knock them down.
Both Lonzo Ball and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are streaky 3-point shooters who can get hot and carry the team but can also throw up an 0-8 on any given night.
Murphy III shot over 40 percent in his three years of college basketball and hit 43.3 percent in his final season at Virginia on just under five attempts per game.
After J.J. “The Mouth” Redick and Nicolo Melli forgot how to shoot last season, the Pelicans had no one who could consistently make defenses pay for double teaming Zion and Brandon Ingram.
Murphy III is going to knock down open shots and should get plenty of them for the New Orleans Pelicans.
But there is more.
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Trey Murphy III takes pride in his defense
Most rookies can’t stay on the floor because they can’t defend, as learning the nuances of NBA defensive rotations takes time for some, and for most, they are making a huge leap in the level of competition they are trying to stop.
Trey Murphy III should be up to the task as a 6-foot-9 combo guard/forward with a wingspan of over 7-feet.
Murphy III also takes pride in defense and knows it is the key to him making the league. He transferred from Rice to Virginia specifically because he wanted to be become a better defender.
Tony Bennett is known for developing quality NBA players at Virginia and if you don’t play defense, you won’t play for Bennett. He has helped mold guys like De’Andre Hunter and Malcolm Brogdon into plus defenders and Trey Murphy III could be next on that list.
Murphy III put in the work on the defensive end and should be a guy who can help improve the Pels’ porous defense on the wing.
I was very excited when Trey Murphy III fell into the New Orleans Pelicans’ lap with the 17th pick and think he could be one of the steals of the NBA Draft.