New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III will be making big money this offseason. The 6-foot-10 shooter will be eligible for a rookie contract extension this offseason after producing the best results of his career last year. Murphy III averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists, all career highs. Four players from his draft class have already signed rookie maximum contract extensions.
In addition to his success on the court, Murphy III has also become a popular media personality. This summer, he appeared on a special “Draft Episode” of a popular podcast. An old man and three others. Murphy III was joined by The Ringer's Van Lathan and Ryan Russillo, the Miami Heat's Duncan Robinson and host Tommy Alter, a group that rounded up the best of Las Vegas.
Earlier this month, Trey was spotted playing with new Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George. Podcast P During the show, Murphy III spoke about his own career rise and how teammate Zion Williamson has become unstoppable. He also participated in a Q&A with Complex Sports over the summer.
After the Pelicans' season ended with a playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Trey was featured prominently on various NBA programs during the playoffs.
He participated in the alternate broadcast of the Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, providing commentary on the game. Murphy III was a regular on NBATV throughout the playoffs, providing game analysis from a player's perspective. Trey has always had an interest in media, so it seemed like a natural transition for him to transition into media after his NBA career.
“When I look at what Draymond (Green) and CJ (McCollum) are doing, I know that's what I really want to do,” Murphy III told The Boardroom in 2023. “I feel like I can speak well, I'm knowledgeable and I can talk about the game that I love. I feel like I need to gain more experience before I start a podcast, but it's definitely something I'm looking forward to in the future.”
Murphy III still finds time to train for the upcoming 2024 NBA season. He was selected to be a member of the U.S. National Team that will train and prepare the U.S. Men's National Team for the 2024 Olympics. Many expect Trey to play at a higher level next season, with some prominent NBA journalists recognizing him as a rising star.
Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer, had this to say about Trey earlier this year: “Trey Murphy is my favorite non-superstar player in both conferences. He's one of the most productive contributors in the league. What I love is how far his play will ultimately take him.”
New Orleans needs him to get to the next level. He's one of the team's best three-point shooters and most versatile player. If Trey Murphy III can become a star on the court, the Pelicans will be a real championship contender on the court as well.
