A rookie scale extension for Trey Murphy will be one of the Pelicans‘ offseason priorities, but it will take a significant offer to make it happen, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Clark sees a new contract for Murphy falling somewhere between the four-year, $94.5MM deal that Brooklyn gave Cameron Johnson last summer and the five-year pact Devin Vassell signed with San Antonio that includes $135MM in guaranteed money.
Murphy came off the bench in 34 of the 57 games he played this season, but Clark points to an April matchup with Golden State as evidence that he can handle a full-time starting role. With Brandon Ingram sidelined by an injury, Murphy scored 24 points and sank six three-pointers, three of which were from 30 feet or longer.
New Orleans reportedly plans to explore trades involving Ingram this summer, creating an opportunity for Murphy to replace him in the starting lineup. Clark views Murphy as a better fit alongside Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones, adding that all three will be under long-term deals if Murphy signs an extension.
There’s more from New Orleans:
- The Pelicans are very likely to pick up their $1.99MM team option on Jose Alvarado, Keith Smith of Spotrac states in an offseason overview of the team. Option decisions on Jeremiah Robinson-Earl ($2.2MM) and Matt Ryan ($2.4MM) are less certain, but Smith expects New Orleans to keep both players unless the front office decides it needs to open a roster spot. The more difficult choices, according to Smith, are what to do with center Jonas Valanciunas and small forward Naji Marshall, who will both be unrestricted free agents if they don’t agree to extensions by late June. Smith expects a one- or two-year deal for Valanciunas if he’s brought back, while Marshall seems likely to wind up elsewhere.
- The Pelicans need to find a big man in the draft, and there should be plenty of decent options when they pick at No. 21, Smith adds, listing Zach Edey, Yves Missi, DaRon Holmes II and Kel’el Ware as players who could still be on the board. Smith expects New Orleans to defer the first-round pick that it’s owed from the Lakers, which is at No. 17, and take L.A.’s first-rounder next year instead.
- The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District voted to delay planned improvements to Smoothie King Center because Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, who also owns the NFL’s Saints, is delinquent on payments for upgrades to the Superdome, Clark and Jeff Duncan write in a separate story. ASM Global, which manages the Superdome, contends the Saints are $11.5MM behind and haven’t made a payment since December. The NFL team issued a statement (via Twitter) saying it has no problem paying the $11.5MM — or its $41MM share of the $58MM project — but added, “We have, however, asked for certain documentation over an extended period and we have not received that documentation.” Last year, the Pelicans extended their lease at the arena through June of 2029.
Pels gotta throw their name in the Trae Young hat. They definitely have the best fit. If they can get Atlanta to bite on an Ingram deal do it. Give them all the picks they want. Gotta make the most out of the team friendly deals, end of CJs better days, and the big ol contract they gave to Z.
Don’t worry a new version of 2k will be out soon
That Christian Clark guy is pretty dang good to just come out of nowhere and score 24 points! It sounds like he should be the one getting the deal!! lol
Classic city government… useless and blame shifting, SMH!!!
Murray, Capela and a second for Ingram, Daniel’s and pick 21
Hope Kyle Filipowski drops to you at 17 otherwise take Kelel Ware.
Save a little bit of money letting Jonas walk, I’d be looking to add another shooter Malik Monk, Buddy Heild, Gary Trent Jr, Lonnie Walker and maybe Luke Kennard.
Murray McCollum Herb Zion Capela
Alvarado Heild* Trey Nance Filipowski/Ware*
Hawkins Liddell JRE
I think this team would do really well. Murray can create for others, get his own shot off, and play defence. CJ still can play the third option, Zion has more shooting around him. Capela replaces Jonas and adds better rim protection, while also developing your centre of the future from the draft in back up minutes. Then you’ve got a solid sixth man in Heild who adds even more shooting.
This team could make a huge leap next season and all it cost them is one of their two first round picks
The Pelicans want no part of Clint Capella & his big contract. Now Okungua would fill in perfectly with which the switchable defense Coach Green wants to run. Murray & Okungwu would fill the 2 biggest holes in the starting lineup. Maybe this or acquiring Garland & Allen from the Cavs are the ideal trades & then you can convince CJ to come off the bench & build your reserves with Hawkins & Ryan. Naji is going to be missed but you’d have to go into the tax to retain him.
Big contract? It’s expiring.
No way that journalist actually thinks one single regular season game is evidence enough to justify a starting role and a 8 or 9 figure contract. Thank god these guys are writers and not GMs.
these sport writers say anything just to make up a story. No way Trey should get that big of a contract with being injured and put up good but not great numbers. With the new CBA that handcuffs owners on spending over the cap they will be hesitant to give out big contracts. That is why they are talking of trading Ingram.
25M for Murphy man that’s steep. If that’s the asking, you go to RFA. Let the market dictate.
Murphy is elite at 3 things, 3 pt shooting, dunking and defense. Based on that, he’ll be paid at the level he’s seeking. The starter/bench distinction is meaningless in this case. He’s done both and has averaged 30 mpg through both. The 25 games missed last year is the only issue, but he played 79 the prior year. He’s a more accomplished 3 year player than either Vassell or McDaniels were when they got their extensions.