New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy has a well-deserved reputation as a sharpshooter.
This happens when you have made 442 three-pointers in 198 games and made at least five three-pointers in 21 different games.
Murphy also stands out for his ability to take great care of the basketball. Over the course of his career, Murphy has averaged 0.6 turnovers per game. Basketball Poetry’s Mike Shearer observes that during the 2023-24 season, Murphy increased its utilization and assistance rates while decreasing its turnover rate“The result is a booming offensive machine,” Shearer said.
Murphy has turned over fewer balls than other snipers like Sam Hauser and Keegan Murray, despite a higher dribble rate, Shearer said. His 4.7% career turnover percentage is the best in the NBA (at least 1,000 minutes). No other Pelicans player has had a percentage lower than 7.5% (Jordan Hawkins). And he doesn’t benefit from rarely putting the ball on the floor. “Murphy has turned over fewer balls than other snipers like Sam Hauser and Keegan Murray, despite a higher dribble rate,” Shearer said.
That’s what sets Trey apart from most of his contemporaries at his position. “Sure, some turnovers are an inevitable result of aggression, but they tend to accumulate among playmakers and ball handlers,” Shearer said. “Play finishers, like Murphy, are generally more likely to make a shot than take risks with the ball.”
“Murphy absolutely must be a starter next season if the Pelicans are to achieve their goal.”
Willie Green has stressed the importance of not turning the ball over since his first practice. The Pelicans have gone from 21st in the league in turnover percentage in 2021-22 to 12th last season. With one of the NBA’s smallest teams this season, the premium on ball security has increased.
Green is unlikely to play Murphy as long as Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are healthy and on the same roster. However, he needs to find a way to maximize Murphy’s minutes as part of a potent offensive rotation.
