Reports around the Golden State Warriors continue frustrating a fanbase that is split between the team’s direction but is also starved for roster moves. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on the team’s continue casual pursuit of LeBron James. However, Fischer noted another Warriors trade target that comes with far less star power, but may be a more ideal long-term fit in Golden State.
“The more realistic trade target, then, would likely be New Orleans Pelicans swingman Trey Murphy III,” Fischer wrote. “Sources say that the Warriors have a strong affinity for Murphy and have made outreach to New Orleans as recently as this summer. Yet sources say that the Pelicans, to be clear, have batted away calls for the 25-year-old, valuing him highly. The two-way forward will be playing on a contract in 2025-26 — at precisely $25 million — as desirable as his talent.”
Murphy would seemingly be a perfect fit in the Warriors starting lineup alongside Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and prospective starting center Al Horford. Last season, he averaged 21.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game on 45.4%/36.1%/88.7% shooting for the Pelicans in 53 games. Murphy combines elite three-point shooting (his 36.1% mark was a career-low and came on 8.3 attempts per game) with the length and athleticism to offer value defensively. The biggest knock on his resume at this point in his career is durability. The 25-year old has missed at least 20 games in three of his four NBA seasons.
Despite the Warriors hopes, it seems hard to envision them . While the Pelicans front office has made several head-scratching moves this offseason, they have fully committed to competing in the 2025-26 season after trading their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Hawks. Without any incentive to tank, the Pelicans seem even less likely to move Murphy than a team in their position might. Nevertheless, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Quinten Post, the Warriors collection of future first-round picks, and possibly even Brandin Podziemski could all be on the table if Murphy ever lands on the block.