The Pistons didn’t do enough to address their lack of shooting at the trade deadline and one potential target recently showed how he could fix the problem: Trey Murphy III. Murphy was a highly sought-after target on the lowly Pelicans but ultimately not moved at the deadline. He’s known as a prolific outside shooter and showcased his talents on Wednesday night with a 44-point outing against the Bucks, including 12 made threes.
Trey Murphy III might be worth the high asking price
There were prior reports of the Pistons pursuing Murphy before the Pelicans spurned them. New Orleans was asking for a lot, including promising young players and multiple draft picks. In the end, the Pistons elected for a smaller move that only cost them one young player in Jaden Ivey.
However, the difference in shooting potency between Murphy and the Pistons’ newest acquisition Kevin Huerter is astronomical. Not only is Murphy shooting a higher percentage from three (37% vs Huerter’s 31% this season), he’s also doing it on way more attempts. Murphy’s 8.5 threes attempted per game rank in the top 10 across the entire NBA.
His versatility as a shooter also stands out. During his career-best performance against the Bucks, Murphy was lethal off the catch or off the dribble. He’s elite at relocating to open spaces and flying off screens to knock down movement threes. But Murphy can also create his own pull-up and stepback threes, either in isolation or a pick-and-roll.
Huerter might end up being a solid pickup for the Pistons, but Murphy could’ve been a genuine game changer. Murphy is the type of deadly and fearless shooter who strikes fear into the heart of defenses whenever he takes the court. His off-ball gravity would open up lanes significantly for Cade Cunningham and the Pistons’ other slashers. At the same time, he could also directly alleviate pressure from Cade by taking over some possessions as a ball handler.
Murphy also fits the Pistons’ team culture and timeline well. His defense has declined a bit in recent years, but he’s still a long 6’8” wing capable of disrupting plays. This season, he’s averaging an impressive 1.6 steals on an awful Pelicans defense.
At 25 years old, Murphy is the perfect age to grow with the Pistons’ young core and elevate them to championship contenders. His addition would’ve taken their offense to another level while preserving their defensive identity. With Murphy, the Pistons could be perennial favorites in the East for years to come. Even though they didn’t trade for him at the deadline, he should still be a target to keep in mind for the offseason.
Regardless of how the Pistons fare in this year’s playoffs, Trey Murphy III can make them even better.