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Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans.
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the strangest teams in the NBA this season. Their record is 8-22, sitting four and a half games back from a Play-In spot. With the trade deadline gradually approaching, they seem like a perfect team to be sellers. However, two of their most sought-after assets, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, will likely stay in New Orleans.
Part of the reason why the Pelicans may not go on a fire sale before the trade deadline is that they are currently on a five-game winning streak. During this stretch, Murphy has shown off why he is sought after by other teams, averaging 19.8 points per game. While Jones does not have the same consistent play as Murphy, he has started in all five games, scoring 18 points with eight steals in one game.
The overarching belief around the NBA is that the Pelicans will hold onto Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones through the trade deadline, league sources told @ClutchPoints.
Many teams believe the Pelicans’ asking price is too high right now.
More on the Pels and trade intel below: https://t.co/JEsAprAaXP
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) December 23, 2025
Murphy and Jones’ play on the court has validated the high price that the Pelicans’ General Manager, Joe Dumars, has placed on them, making a trade unlikely. Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reported that “In regard to Murphy and Jones, the thought from teams outside of New Orleans is that their asking price is too high right now. The Pelicans have not budgeted from their stance in the offseason, and if there is one executive who won’t be bullied into making a deal, it’s Joe Dumars.”
Why are Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones Priced so High
GettyHerb Jones on the left, talking to Trey Murphy III on the right.
Oddly enough, one of the biggest reasons for the Pelicans to hold on to Murphy and Jones may have nothing to do with them. Instead, it might have to do with what was a head-scratching decision during the 2025 NBA Draft.
On draft night, the Pelicans traded for the rights to Derik Queen and selected him 13th overall. That cost the Pelicans their first-round pick in 2026. Now, the Pelicans’ issue is that they have the fifth-worst record in the league, but the Atlanta Hawks hold their draft pick.
Not being able to win games, while not having your future draft picks, is among the worst positions for an NBA franchise. That is a big reason why the Pelicans won’t budge on their asking price for Murphy and Jones. Both players are starters, and trading them away without getting similar value in return does not make sense.
On top of that, the trade for Queen may no longer be so demoralizing. The rookie center has made an immediate impact, serving as a catalyst for the recent winning streak, averaging 14.6 points, nine rebounds, and five assists over the five games. Both Murphy and Jones have been complementary players alongside Queen, possibly only raising their value to the Pelicans.
Who is Looking to Trade For the Murphy and Jones
GettyHerb Jones (left) high-fiving teammate Trey Murphy III (right).
Another big reason Murphy and Jones are mentioned constantly in trade rumors is their play style. Both players fit the 3-and-D archetype, making them perfect to play alongside any star in the league. Because of that, it makes both players valuable to contenders.
Two of the biggest teams in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, have been linked in rumors to both players. Siegel, in his article, went on to write about the possible suitors for one of the two players by saying, “Jones has remained a top trade target for Western Conference contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, sources said.”
Even though Siegel only mentioned Jones, there are rumors that the Warriors are also trying to trade for Murphy. The Lakers’ connection to Jones makes a lot of sense, given that they are struggling defensively, ranked 23rd in defensive rating. Then, the Warriors are sitting at .500 right now, and Murphy can answer a lot of questions for them, as they need a lot to improve. Despite both teams needing improvements, Murphy and Jones don’t seem available, forcing teams to look elsewhere.
Jose Rohdin Jose Rohdin covers the NBA for Heavy. He has been covering the world of sports since 2018, focusing on the NBA, NFL, MLB, Soccer, College Basketball, and College Football. More about Jose Rohdin
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