Heading into the 2025-26 season, Trey Murphy III was widely expected to have an All-Star-level breakout and turn his $112 million contract into one of the best in the league. Unfortunately for a struggling New Orleans Pelicans team, he’s looked lost and like a shell of himself.
Through the first five games of the season, Murphy III’s stats tell a concerning story. He is averaging 13.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, with shooting percentages of just 36 percent from the field and an even more disappointing 30 percent from beyond the arc.
Sometimes, when players disappoint early into a season, fans and analysts might chalk it up to a temporary slump or the typical rust that comes from an offseason. However, in Murphy's case, it seems to run deeper. He's not just missing shots; he's shooting them without confidence, and he's playing with little to no aggression. Two things that were going to be pivotal in his expected breakout were becoming a reality.
After the way last season ended, I had a strong belief that Murphy III would step up significantly and even outscore Zion Williamson on many nights. His ability as a versatile scoring threat set the stage for what many hoped would be a dominant season. Instead, his current form raises concerns about his role on a team that is in dire need of a secondary scorer alongside Williamson.
Maybe it isn’t all Murphy III’s fault
While it's hard to point the finger at someone else for a player's on-court struggles, Willie Green has played a role in the way Murphy III has started this season. Green has done a mediocre job at getting Murphy III involved in the team's offense and often has just had him standing around on the perimeter. This lack of involvement in the Pelicans' offense is reflected in Murphy III's usage rate, which has dropped 6 percent from last season to this season.
With the Pelicans starting 0-5, Green’s tenure with the team is expected to come to an end very soon. A new set of eyes might not only revitalize the team’s overall performance but could also play a crucial role in the development and resurgence of Trey Murphy III. Such a change could be the catalyst the Pelicans need to shift momentum and regain their competitiveness in the league.
While it’s only been five games, trends are everything in the NBA, and Murphy III’s future and outlook with the Pelicans are starting to trend in the wrong way. If he wants a chance at turning things around this season, a coaching shake-up may be the only way.