Pelicans’ forward Trey Murphy suffers right hamstring strain, out at least three weeks |Max Sporty|

This is a rough way to start the season in New Orleans.

Wing Trey Murphy III suffered a right hamstring strain and is out at least three weeks (and likely longer), the team announced.

Three weeks would make him reevaluate as the season is about to start. Given the nature of injuries and the timing, the Pelicans will likely be very cautious with his return. Which likely means Murphy will miss a few games to open the season.

The timing is also a little awkward because Murphy is open to an extension until Oct. 21, although this injury — which he must fully recover from and not be chronic — shouldn’t affect extension negotiations.

Murphy averaged 14.8 points and 4.9 rebounds a game last season coming off knee surgery, and is one of the best shooters on a team largely lacking that skill. Murphy knocked down 38% of his 3-pointers a season ago.

If this injury continues in the beginning of the season (which is likely), it complicates the formation of trainer Willie Green of a regular starting line-up. The givens are Dejonte Murray at the point and Zion Williamson as one of the big men. CJ McCollum will almost certainly be the starting two guard to open the season, with Murphy ideally at the three once healthy, Brandon Ingram as the four and Zion at center. Green could switch it up and have Murray and McCollum as the guards, Ingram and Zion as the forwards, and a more traditional center in Daniel Theis at the five, with Murphy coming off the bench. One option we could see deeper into the season is the Murry – Dejounte and Trey – starting as the guards, then Ingram, Zion and Theis as the frontcourt and McCollum coming off the bench. (That all changes if the Pelicans trade Ingram or can find a quality starting center, two things they’ve tried but failed to do this offseason.)

While juggling all that won’t be easy, that depth does help Green and New Orleans until Murphy returns from this stretch.