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Brandon Ingram trade could signal massive Trey Murphy III Pelicans extension

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Nick Meyer | Last updated 5/10/24

The New Orleans Pelicans concluded their 2023-2024 season with an ‘Irish goodbye’ in the first round of the playoffs, getting swept by Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now the Pelicans must decide who to keep and who to get rid of as they point their sails toward further horizons for next season and beyond.

Will Brandon Ingram be a part of the Zion Williamson-led Pelicans squad next season? Will Head Coach Willie Green return? These are just two of the questions New Orleans must solve, and the rumor mill has been ablaze lately with rumors on Ingram’s future status.

The latest Ingram rumors came amid word of a ‘Zion Williamson reason’ why Ingram is the more likely Pelicans star to be traded. Williamson also found himself on the receiving end of weight loss advice from none other than ‘The Chuckster’ himself, Sir Charles Barkley of the NBA on TNT crew.

The latest collection of rumors has Ingram likely being moved, and it all centers around a Trey Murphy III reason that makes quite a bit of sense to ardent, diehard Pelicans backers and NBA stat geek extraordinaires.

Pelicans Ingram Trade Rumor Announced

According to Michael Scotto and Will Guillory in a chat article on HoopsHype.com, the Pelicans could move Ingram this offseason with the goal of acquiring more potential minutes for Trey Murphy III, a rising star at guard who averaged nearly 15 points per game for the Pelicans last season.

Scotto stated that some watchers believe Ingram could be dealt for the aforementioned purpose. If it happens, a Murphy III extension could come shortly afterward.

Trey Murphy III and the Pelicans have a future. Apr 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) dribbles against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

“With his size, 3-point shooting, and athleticism, I think he can definitely get a big number,” Guillory said about a possible Murphy III extension. “I think you want to be smart about what that means for the rest of the roster.

“I definitely don’t think he’s a max guy or anything like that, but over the $100 million mark, I think there is no question.”

Murphy III’s Impact on Pelicans

Murphy III was a 2021 first round pick out of the University of Virginia, who averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He’s been forced to carry a bigger scoring load than expected due to Williamson’s myriad absences from the team, and could now be in line for a big payday.

Murphy III was fifth on the Pelicans in postseason scoring with Williamson not playing a single game. With CJ McCollum proving himself not quite ready to carry the load as the team’s top scorer, a more balanced scoring attack in the backcourt could include more shot attempts, and perhaps more money, for Murphy going forward.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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