Over the course of this offseason, Pelicans fans have had to deal with a fair share of scary rumors. One of the most shocking rumors of this summer was that the Pelicans didn't view anyone as untouchable, which worried many fans about the futures of Trey Murphy and Herb Jones.
Both of the Pelicans' young wings possess traits that would interest any team in the league. Both guys are 6'8", can defend, can shoot the three, and Trey is also someone who is an elite shot creator. This type of skillset at their size and length is exactly what teams are looking for in the modern NBA.
These rumors can finally be laid to rest, as in one of the most recent episode of the Game Theory Podcasts, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic made it clear that during any trade discussions, the asking price for Murphy was extremely high. He made it clear that Joe Dumars and the Pelicans know exactly how good Murphy is and wanted an arm and a leg in return for him.
If there's anything to take away from Vecenie's note, it's that Pelicans fans are finally safe to buy a Trey Murphy jersey ahead of the next season, as it appears Trey is here to stay.
This could be the best decision of the offseason
While the Pelicans have faced scrutiny for some of their choices this offseason, making the call to keep Trey Murphy may go down as their best move this summer. Murphy is coming off an outstanding 2024-25 season, averaging 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Last season, he showed the NBA that there is way more to his game than being a 3-and-D wing, as Murphy took his shot creation and playmaking abilities to a whole new level.
Now at 25 years old, Murphy is entering the prime of his career, and a potential All-Star appearance could be on the horizon. Luckily for the Pelicans, he's locked up for 4 years at $112 million, and won't be a free agent until the 2029 offseason. This type of contract for a player of Murphy's caliber is a steal and is another reason why keeping Murphy was a smart move. With players like Michael Porter Jr. making $35+ million a year, Murphy's $28 million annual salary is excellent value for the Pelicans.
The decision to keep Trey Murphy around long term is by far the best thing Joe Dumars has done this summer, as it keeps a #2 alongside Zion Williamson going forward. Murphy is the perfect mix between a player who can help win now and be a piece of New Orleans' future.