On the day of the rookie extension deadline, the New Orleans Pelicans have secured the future of one of their rising stars. ESPN’s Shams Charania has revealed that Trey Murphy III and the Pelicans have reached an agreement on a four-year, $112 million contract extension. According to Christian Clark of NOLA.com, the extension is set to kick off in the 2025-26 season and does not include a player option.
Aged 24, Murphy was the 17th overall pick by the Pelicans in the 2021 NBA Draft. Known for his three-point shooting prowess, he is a valuable asset alongside Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, and Dejounte Murray, showcasing consistent improvement in his defensive skills each season. In the 2023-24 season, Murphy averaged 14.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 44.3% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc.
Murphy joins a select group of players from the 2021 draft class who have inked rookie-scale extensions before the deadline. Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers), Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), and Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic) all secured their lucrative rookie max extension deals earlier this year.