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5 NBA players who could join the exclusive 50/40/90 club in 2023–24

By Tyler Key

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 27: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after dunking against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on March 27, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 27: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after dunking against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on March 27, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images) /
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Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans  (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans  (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Player #2: Trey Murphy III – 48.4 / 40.6 / 90.5 shooting splits in 2022-2023

The runner-up for the most likely player to join the 50/40/90 club is Trey Murphy III. Logically and statistically, Murphy has a great shot at achieving the feat, but history is not on his side. If Murphy were to hit the mark next season, he would be both the youngest player to ever join the 50/40/90 club (23 years old) and the least accomplished player to ever do so.

He will also be in a peculiar situation, where if Zion Williamson is back and healthy, he could very well be more of a rotational player than an everyday starter like he was for much of the 2022–2023 season. Last year, he started 65 of the 79 games he played in and averaged 14.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.1 SPG on elite efficiency. If Williamson returns and Brandon Ingram stays healthy, Murphy may have trouble playing 31.0 minutes per game again.

On the other hand, Murphy was just 1.6 FG% away from joining the 50/40/90 club as a 22-year-old sophomore in the NBA last year. His 3FG% (40.6) and FT% (90.5) were both sufficient for the club, so this bodes well for his future outlook. There are also many rumors that Murphy has been too good to bench and that the Pelicans will instead slide Brandon Ingram to shooting guard and push Herb Jones to the bench instead of Murphy. If this is indeed the case, Murphy could be set up for an incredibly efficient year.