New Orleans Pelicans DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III received his payday on Monday as he signed a rookie contract extension. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the former 17th-overall pick signed a four-year, $112 million contract extension. Murphy has had some injury issues over the last couple of seasons but has still turned himself into an important piece to the Pelicans' success. Last season, he averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 3.0 threes while playing 29.6 minutes per game. The addition of Dejounte Murray will likely take some opportunities away, but Murphy is still a solid contributor in category fantasy formats.

Per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca, Toronto Raptors center Kelly Olynyk (back) will not suit up for Tuesday's preseason game against the Celtics due to lower-back stiffness. For the 33-year-old, it will be the second consecutive game that he's missed. Olynyk will get another opportunity to play Friday for the Raptors' final preseason game against Brooklyn. During the 2023-24 campaign, the big man averaged 9.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, playing in 78 games with Utah and Toronto.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (hamstring) will likely miss the start of the season. The 24-year-old sustained a right hamstring strain in Wednesday's practice, and the team announced that Murphy III will be re-evaluated in three weeks. New Orleans starts its campaign on Oct. 23 against Chicago. Murphy III mostly came off the bench for the Pelicans last term but continued to play an integral part in the rotation, averaging 29.6 minutes per game. Jordan Hawkins and Matt Ryan could get extra action without Murphy III.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson came into media day lighter and more focused as he explained how much of a breath of fresh air this offseason felt to him. According to Evan Sidery, the superstar power forward lost 15 pounds over the summer and Williamson said that being able to "really lock in on basketball" and break down film while working on things in the gym was a welcomed difference. In past offseasons, Williamson has worked on coming back from injury or battling some weight issues, according to many reports at the time. After playing a career-high 70 games last season, he's heading into his sixth season feeling as healthy as ever.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado agreed to a two-year, $9 million extension with the team. The 26-year-old has spent his entire career in New Orleans, averaging 7.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. Unfortunately, he has struggled to stay healthy, logging 61 games or fewer in each season since entering the National Basketball Association. Alvarado will hold a consistent spot in the rotation behind Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum this season. However, he won't be a routine fantasy provider, although his defensive prowess gives him added value in category formats.