Like Jaren Jackson Jr. on the Memphis side, Trey Murphy felt an alert behind the thigh, but unlike “JJJ”, his hamstring strain will keep him away from the field for at least three weeks. With the Pelicans starting their season on October 23, Murphy should, in theory, miss the opener against the Bulls.
A true “3-and-D”, the Pelicans winger missed 25 games last season, and he is preparing to play a decisive season as he enters the last year of his rookie contract. The Pelicans have the option to extend it before October 21, but that's not the way to go.
This is a hard blow for Willie Green since the Pelicans squad is less rich than last season. Certainly, Dejounte Murray arrived to lead the game, but the team also lost Naji Marshall, Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr in the exchange, without forgetting Jonas Valanciunas, who left for the Wizards.
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Which doesn't stop Murphy from being optimistic. “ We have a lot of weapons, we already had a lot. We have even more weapons now. We obviously lost key players from last year's team, like Naji Marshall, Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. We will miss their presence. But I really think we're going to do a lot of things with the current team.”
PELICANS ROSTER 2024/25
Leaders: Dejounte Murray, Jose Alvarado
Backs/wingers: Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jordan Hawkins, Javonte Green, Antonio Reeves, Matt Ryan
Interiors: Zion Williamson, Daniel Theis, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Karlo Matkovic
