HomeIllinois Sports Betting NewsTrey Murphy III Deserves a Spot in the Most Improved Player Race

Trey Murphy III Deserves a Spot in the Most Improved Player Race

The NBA’s Most Improved Player (MIP) award celebrates those who take significant leaps in performance and impact. Historically, the award highlights players who exceed expectations, often spotlighting those who were overlooked or underappreciated. This season, Cade Cunningham (+115 on FanDuel) and Evan Mobley (+450) headline the frontrunners, both bringing strong cases bolstered by their pedigree as former top-three picks. Yet, Trey Murphy III, quietly thriving in New Orleans, has been excluded from the conversation, despite growth more aligned with the spirit of the award. FanDuel currently doesn't even have him listed as an option to bet on for the MIP.

Image: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Murphy vs. the Frontrunners

Cunningham has rebounded from an injury-riddled 2022-23 campaign to lead the Detroit Pistons. Through 35 games this season, the 2021 No. 1 pick is averaging 24.2 points, 9.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. His assist numbers have surged from 5.6 in 2021-22 to 9.5 this year, solidifying him as Detroit’s primary playmaker. However, much of his statistical bump is tied to an expected return to health after missing most of last season, rather than an organic leap in skill or responsibility.

Mobley, a defensive stalwart for Cleveland, has also taken strides offensively. This season, he’s contributing 19.0 points and 8.8 rebounds while maintaining elite efficiency at 62.0% on two-point attempts. While impressive, Mobley’s improvements fall squarely in line with what one might expect of a former No. 3 pick progressing in his fourth season on a team built to support him.

In contrast, Murphy, selected 17th overall in 2021, is thriving in a role requiring self-sufficiency on a roster plagued by injuries. After averaging 14.8 points last year, Murphy has elevated his scoring to 20.7 points per game while maintaining elite free-throw shooting at 90.8%. Since December 1, he’s been even better, averaging 22.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on a stellar 63.0% true shooting. Murphy’s leap isn’t just in numbers but in responsibilities, stepping up as a primary option for the Pelicans during Zion Williamson’s absences.

Murphy Belongs in the Race

What separates Murphy’s candidacy is the unlikelihood of his ascension. Cunningham and Mobley were pegged as future stars before they ever stepped foot on an NBA court. Murphy, meanwhile, entered the league with modest expectations, labeled a three-and-D specialist with limited upside. His rise into a versatile scorer and playmaker embodies the essence of the MIP award.

Historically, winners like Pascal Siakam and Jimmy Butler fit Murphy’s mold: players who outperformed their draft pedigree and evolved into foundational pieces for their teams. Murphy’s ability to thrive in an expanded offensive role, coupled with his continued defensive contributions (1.2 steals per game since December 1), mirrors these archetypes.

Despite the Pistons and Cavaliers boasting superior team records, Murphy’s transformation is equally, if not more, impressive. He’s shown an ability to shoulder the offensive load for a Pelicans team missing key contributors while maintaining efficiency and consistency. His exclusion from the MIP frontrunners speaks more to his understated profile than to a lack of merit.

If the Most Improved Player award is truly about unexpected growth, Murphy III deserves serious consideration. His rise from a late first-round pick to a critical offensive force has reinvigorated the Pelicans and proven that sometimes, the biggest leaps come from those who were never expected to make them.

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