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Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have been connected to countless trade ideas, but one potential target stands out for reasons that go beyond hype. He’s talented, productive, and built for the way Golden State plays — a player whose skill set fits their identity as cleanly as anyone on the market.
And according to multiple reports, that player is New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III.
This week, Murphy appeared on Dan Favale’s list in Bleacher Report’s Every NBA Team’s Top 3 Trade Targets Right Now, where he was highlighted as the type of off-ball scorer and mobile defender who fits almost anywhere. Golden State’s name wasn’t attached to that list directly, but it matched everything we already knew. The Warriors have admired Murphy for a long time, long before this season’s struggles even began.
And now, with New Orleans sitting at 3–20 and drifting toward a roster reset, the door might finally be cracking open.
Warriors Interest in Murphy Goes Back Months
GettyTrey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors.
The connection isn’t new. Marc Stein reported in August that Golden State reached out to New Orleans about a deal for Murphy and views him as an ideal fit in the system built around Stephen Curry.
“Sources say that the Warriors have a strong affinity for Murphy,” Stein wrote. “The Pelicans batted away calls.”
That was before the slide. Before the injuries. Before the internal push to re-evaluate what pieces make sense next to the young core of Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears.
Much has changed since then. And Golden State has stayed patient, waiting for the right moment to re-enter the discussion.
How a Kuminga Deal Could Open the Door
A recent report from ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel connected the Warriors back to New Orleans through a different lens: the market for Jonathan Kuminga.
Siegel noted that both the Pelicans and the Indiana Pacers have shown interest in Kuminga. If New Orleans is willing to move Murphy, that dynamic gives Golden State a path into the conversation.
The logic is simple. Kuminga is talented and improving, but his fit next to Curry and Draymond Green has never locked in cleanly. Murphy, meanwhile, is exactly the type of wing the Warriors have been searching for. Someone who does not need the ball, thrives in movement-heavy offenses and defends multiple positions.
The math checks out long before the negotiations do.
Why Murphy Fits Golden State’s Offense and Identity
Murphy’s game feels designed for the Warriors style. He averages nearly three made threes per game across his last three seasons. He races off screens. Cuts decisively. Punishes mistakes on closeouts. And at 6-foot-9, he guards up and down the lineup.
Golden State has lived on players who understand spacing and timing. Murphy checks both boxes without needing plays drawn for him.
For this roster, which is trying to balance Curry’s prime with internal development, Murphy brings something clean and scalable. A plug-in piece. A high-end role player who fills gaps without taking oxygen out of the room.
As Tim Kawakami explained, Murphy’s contract, age and skill set align perfectly with what the Warriors would want in any Kuminga deal.
“The Warriors would do that in a split second,” Kawakami wrote.
The question is whether New Orleans would.
What Might Push the Pelicans Toward a Move
The Pelicans do not own their 2026 first-round pick. They are 3–20. And while they have young pieces worth developing, they also need draft capital and roster clarity as they build around Queen and Fears.
Murphy is good enough to bring back real assets. He is also expensive enough to tempt a front office that needs flexibility more than wins.
If New Orleans opens the door, Golden State is one of the first teams positioned to walk through.
Where the Warriors Stand in the Market
The Warriors have interest. They have a need. They have a meaningful trade chip in Kuminga. And they have a long-standing admiration for Murphy that predates this season’s turbulence.
But they are not the only team watching.
Indiana remains in the mix. Several contenders will call. The price will not be light.
Still, Murphy is the type of acquire-now, benefit-later player Golden State has spent years keeping space open for. Someone who fits Curry today and also fits whatever comes after.
The Verdict for Golden State
Murphy is exactly the type of player Golden State should be evaluating. The shooting fits seamlessly into their movement-heavy offense. The size and defensive range address a real gap on the wing. The contract gives them flexibility instead of limiting it.
And for a team trying to maximize Curry’s window, a player who checks this many boxes might be one of the most valuable targets on the market.
If New Orleans starts taking calls, expect the Warriors to be near the front of the line.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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