Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are reportedly focusing on New Orleans Pelicans veteran Trey Murphy III. However, the Pelicans are not entertainment trade for the first-round competition.
“The Warriors have a strong affinity for Trey Murphy III and have promoted New Orleans this summer. But the Pelicans have clearly opened up the appeal for the 25-year-old, high for him, high for him,” NBA insider Jake Fischer reported.
The source said: “The two forwards will sign contracts in 2025-26, which happens to be $25 million – just like his talent.
Trey Murphy III to start four-year, $112 million contract
Each season of Murphy will enter the first season of his four-year, $112 million contract with New Orleans last October. He plans to earn $29 million in 2027-28 and $31 million in the final year of the 2028-29 deal.
Fischer noted in his report that Golden State’s refusal to consider signatures and trade offers would force the team to separate from two top sharpshooters, Moses Moody or friend Buddy Hield, outside Stephen Curry.
More importantly, the Warriors seem to be more focused on ending a contract standoff with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, who won a two-year, $45 million deal.
Kuminga, 22, said the $7.9 million qualifying offer was more attractive to him. Restricted free agents must accept eligible offers by October 1.
If the Warriors can’t trade Murphy, they will always have free agent markets to recover.
Free agents Al Horford and De’anthony Melton are awaiting Kuminga’s contract status resolution before they can reach their own deal with Golden State themselves.
The Spurs can use Murphy’s three-point shooting
Last season’s 53 games (51 games) in the Pelicans’ games, Murphy averaged a career high of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 35 minutes of games, while the field shot 45.4% from the field and 36.1% outside the arc.
As for the Spurs, they are the Murphy team that will be the perfect choice. His figure and athleticism as a reliable outside shooter will complement the defenders of De’aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle with versatile forward Jeremy Sochan.
Virginia’s product is also adaptable to defending multiple positions on the other end of the floor, which makes him more valuable to young squads like San Antonio.
Needless to say, the reason why teams such as the Spurs and the Warriors are interested in Murphy’s trade is also the reason why the Pelicans are reluctant to break up with him.
New Orleans still have confidence in Zion Williamson, the top No. 1 in the 2019 draft.
Pelicans Basketball Operations Executive Vice President Joe Dumars told Rod Walker Times In June, he had a very good conversation with Zion and said Williamson “will continue to be the focus here.”
In his first five NBA seasons, Williamson has played only 70 or more games, with only two or more games. He played 30 or fewer games in three seasons, missing the entire 2021-22 season.
