Why Zion Williamson, Pelicans must support a scoring title chase to avoid All-Star snub appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As the NBA navigates an unprecedented era of rapid player movement and roster turnover, stability has become a luxury in Louisiana. Amid the chaos of LeBron and Giannis changing teams, the Zion Williamson-led New Orleans Pelicans stood relatively still. While contenders reshuffled rosters around superstars, the Big Easy’s brass quietly declined trade inquiries and committed to an internal solution built around Trey Murphy III’s NBA All-Star potential finally being realized.
Inside the Pelicans’ practice facility, that very landscape of shifting stars is being viewed as the perfect springboard for the fan-favorite. Coming off a career year where Murphy III posted career highs across the stat sheet, the 26-year-old wingman has positioned himself as the centerpiece of the long-term core. EVP Joe Dumars has held firm with a ridiculous asking price for the same reason NBA2K has the two stars tied in the overall rankings.
Murphy III posted averages of 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 47% from the field, 88% from the charity stripe, and almost 38% from three-point range. He emerged as a primary offensive option amid injuries and inconsistency throughout the organization, including a coaching change. Williamson might still be the biggest name in New Orleans, but Trigga Trey has become every bit as important to what happens next.
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Pelicans stick with plan
The timing could hardly be better. Those 2025-26 numbers did not earn Murphy III a first All-Star selection last February. They did, however, establish a baseline that makes another significant jump unnecessary. The leadership alone is commendable as well, not to mention that extra 20 pounds of muscle packed on this summer. Leaving a few more bruises will definitely help boost the All-Star appreciation.
Well, that and wins. Herb Jones might finally get that First-Team All-Defense nickname into the history books if the Murphy can lead the Pelicans to 45 wins.
“If you don’t win games, you don’t get rewarded with personal accolades,” Murphy III explained. “No matter how well I’m doing, it doesn’t matter because we’re not winning games.”
All the Pelicans need to start an early All-Star campaign are small incremental gains. Getting over 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists to start another near 50-40-90 season would be hard for voters to ignore, even if the popularity contest wins out. Murphy III will still get mentioned for a coach-filled bench spot if he is hitting those benchmarks.
On a recent episode of the Numbers On The Board podcast, the swingman stated his goals without hesitation.
“I want 30 points per game. That’s clearly what I’m aiming for,” Murphy said. “But above all, I want to win. I need to get back to the playoffs…I want to return to the playoffs, win games, become an All-Star this season, and reach 30 points.”
Anyone on the scoring title shortlist at Christmas would be an All-Star even if LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard were in the conference. Now that they aren’t, Murphy III and the Pelicans need to take full advantage to change the negative narratives. Doing so would help get Williamson into a postseason game for the first time. Ask anyone in the building, and they’d say that is a far more important goal.
Every fan in the Gulf South would argue they go hand in hand, though, especially for a team predicted to win fewer than 30 games yet again. Having two NBA All-Stars would help spark some excitement into a city in desperate need of a winning season.
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