With the New Orleans Pelicans’ season coming to an in depth and the focus shifting to the 2026-27 marketing campaign, it is time to speak next steps for one among the staff’s greatest stars. In the clutch, the Pelicans have struggled. There’s no query about it, and whereas issues have gotten higher with Dejounte Murray returning, the staff wants one other choice to go to in clutch conditions.
Saddiq Bey has had games the place he takes over and carries New Orleans down this stretch, however his skillset nonetheless limits him from being a constant, closing menace. So who else can step up in that function? Trey Murphy III.
Murphy III has had his moments in closing stretches of various video games this season, however has struggled with being a constant choice in these conditions. If he can determine that a part of his sport out, it will not simply assist the Pelicans attain a brand new degree but additionally assist him attain a brand new tier of participant.
The next step for Trey is turning into a clutch scorer
Murphy III is a bona fide 20-point-per-game scorer who can create his personal shot off the bounce, rating off the catch, make the proper learn as an initiator, and maintain his personal on the glass and on the defensive facet of the ball. He is the excellent complementary wing for the trendy NBA, however for him to take the next step as a participant, he must change into a late-clock/late-game scorer. He has all the instruments to make it attainable with his three-point capturing and downhill scoring—it is nearly aggressiveness and a want to get the ball in these conditions.
Taking the stress off Murray in these conditions will solely profit the Pelicans, as in clutch eventualities, the offense turns into very one-dimensional. Adding one other dynamic scorer to the combine will certainly assist New Orleans flip the narrative on their late-game struggles and make them a staff that does not get beat in the clutch.
Murphy III additionally must take this step for himself as a result of if he ever needs to be in All-Star conversations down the street, he has to kick into one other gear.
What separates good groups from these caught in the center of the pack is clutch scoring. The Pelicans have the expertise to carry their very own for the first 43 minutes between Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Bey, Murray, and Murphy III. But when that clutch time comes, one thing is lacking. Zion is simply too straightforward to scheme in opposition to as a result of virtually all his scoring comes from one space. Bey, as mentioned earlier, has a considerably restricted ability set, and Murray is capable but needs somebody to lighten his load.
Murphy III has the versatile ability set to be that man, and the Pelicans want to determine the way to unlock it so 2026-27 is not one other season of the Pelicans struggling to shut video games.
