A three-player NBA trade idea sending Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans to the San Antonio Spurs has been created.
NBA writer Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea:
San Antonio Spurs receive:Â Trey Murphy III
New Orleans Pelicans receive:Â Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and 2031 first-round pick (via SAS or SAC)
Multiple teams are interested in trading for Murphy III, but the Pelicans have a high asking price for the swingman, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. This trade package Buckley created could be enough to get a conversation started between New Orleans and San Antonio.
Murphy III is averaging 20.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season while shooting 49.4% from the field, 36.6% from beyond the arc and 90.5% from the free-throw line. He’s making $25 million.
Let’s say the Spurs find a way to acquire Murphy III. They would have a talented core of Murphy III, Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper. That core could compete for a championship this season.
San Antonio is in second place in the Western Conference standings. They are under no pressure to make a blockbuster trade, but the thought of adding an elite 3-and-D wing like Murphy III next to Wembanyama and Fox has to be alluring to the front office.
In 281 NBA games, Murphy III has career averages of 14.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. It will be fascinating to see if he’s traded this season since he’s a win-now player and the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the league.