Pelicans Expect Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III to Be Ready for Season Opener
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New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said Monday that forwards Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III are on pace to suit up when the club begins the 2025-26 regular season next month.
Speaking to reporters on Sept. 22, Dumars noted that both players have practiced at full speed in recent weeks after season-ending shoulder surgeries cut short their 2024-25 campaigns.
Jones underwent surgery in February to repair a torn right rotator cuff suffered in early January. The 2024 All-Defensive First Team selection appeared in only 20 games last season, averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals across a career-high 32.4 minutes. New Orleans re-committed to the 26-year-old in July with a three-year, $68 million extension.
Murphy’s breakout year ended in March after he tore a labrum and partially tore his rotator cuff. Before the injury, the 25-year-old swingman posted career-best figures of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 53 games (51 starts), while shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three and 88.7 percent at the foul line. He had signed a four-year, $112 million rookie-scale extension last fall.
Dumars added that guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles tear) and rookie forward Derik Queen (wrist surgery) remain without firm return dates, although both rehabs are said to be progressing.
Source: Hoops Rumors
