New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy has a well-earned reputation as an elite shooter.
That comes when you’ve made 442 three-pointers in 198 games and knocked down at least five triples in 21 different contests.
Murphy is also distinguishing himself as someone who takes tremendous care of the basketball. For his career, Murphy is averaging 0.6 turnovers per game. Basketball Poetry’s Mike Shearer observes that during the 2023-24 season, Murphy upped his usage and assist rates while decreasing his turnover rate. “The result is a rising offensive machine,” Shearer said.
Murphy’s career-best 4.7% turnover percentage was the best in the NBA (min. 1,000 minutes). No other Pelicans player was lower than 7.5% (Jordan Hawkins). And he doesn’t benefit from rarely putting the ball on the floor. “Murphy turned it over less than other snipers like Sam Hauser and Keegan Murray despite dribbling the ball more,” said Shearer.
That makes Trey different from most of his contemporaries at his position. “Some turnovers, of course, are the necessary byproduct of aggression, but those tend to accumulate to the playmakers and ballhandlers,” said Shearer. Play-finishers, like Murphy, are usually better off getting a shot up than taking risks with the rock.”
“Murphy simply must start next season if the Pelicans want to reach their ceiling.”
Willie Green has emphasized the importance of not turning the ball over since his first practice. The Pelicans have improved from 21st in the league in turnover percentage in 2021-22 to 12th last season. With one of the smaller lineups in the NBA this season, the premium on ball security has risen.
It’s unlikely that Green will start Murphy as long as Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are healthy and on the same roster. However, he must find a way to maximize Murphy’s minutes as part of a potent offensive rotation.
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