The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors both look like teams that could use a jolt, and that puts them in the same lane when it comes to possible trade targets. For two clubs expected to contend because of the star power on their rosters, it’s not hard to imagine them chasing some of the same names.
One player who fits that idea is Trey Murphy. Even with both teams short on trade assets - and the Lakers especially lacking much to move - the possibility can’t be ruled out. Bleacher Report has suggested there’s a chance Murphy could be dealt, which is enough to keep him on the radar for both franchises.
Murphy’s appeal is easy to see. He comes with a $87 million total for the next three seasons, and Zach Buckley of BR laid out why that matters for teams already built to win now.
“Murphy's potential return is rich for a reason, but individual greatness isn't it. Rather, he can offer plenty of goodness while easily fitting with a new team and not putting too much strain on the cap sheet ($87 million total for the next three seasons).
“Those are important selling points to suitors who would largely have rather solidified win-now cores (and associated win-now costs) already in place. He is an ignitable shooter, an energetic defender and a bouncy finisher around the basket. Transforming teams goes beyond his pay grade, but he is the kind of high-end role player who can sharpen strengths and clean up weaknesses,” Zach Buckley of BR wrote.
That kind of profile is exactly why Murphy makes sense for teams like the Lakers and Warriors. He can space the floor, defend on the wing and finish plays around the rim, which gives him value whether Golden State lands LeBron James or not. If he does become available, this could turn into a real tug-of-war.
In Other News...
Warriors Rumor Feels Like A Real Front Office Turning Point
The Warriors have spent years treating draft capital like a precious commodity, so any hint that they might be willing to part with future first-round picks is going to catch attention. This time, the chatter is tied to a broader push to reshape the roster around Stephen Curry, with the front office at least exploring whether a more aggressive approach could open a path to a bigger swing.
Golden State has long been linked to star names without actually crossing the line into the kind of deal that empties the cupboard, and fans have learned to stay skeptical until something is official. Still, the possibility of a more flexible stance is notable, especially with summer league performances and the market for top-end talent giving the team reasons to keep its options open. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Fans Should Be Watching This Bay Area Guard Closely
Chance McMillian has spent the summer league making himself hard to ignore, and not just because he is a Bay Area guard with local ties. The 25-year-old from Vallejo is back on the floor after ankle surgery, and his play has fit neatly into what the Warriors have been trying to evaluate in Las Vegas: a guard who can handle the ball, make quick decisions and keep the offense moving. He has scored in double figures in all three California Classic games and already helped Golden State in its Las Vegas opener against Dallas.
What makes McMillian worth watching is the way the Warriors staff has talked about his growth as a point guard during this run. Summer league can be noisy and uneven, but his decision-making and playmaking have stood out enough to give him a real chance to keep forcing the issue as the roster picture takes shape. For a team always looking for useful backcourt depth, especially from someone who understands the Bay Area stage, McMillian has turned this stretch into a meaningful audition. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Rumor Puts Another Nuggets Rising Wing In The Spotlight
The Lakers are still searching for wing help, and the latest buzz has only sharpened the focus on how difficult that search may be. Jonathan Kuminga has been floated as a possible target in a sign-and-trade framework, but the price tag attached to that kind of move appears to be a major hurdle, which is why Los Angeles is also being linked to other defensive-minded options on the market and in trade talks.
One name drawing attention is Peyton Watson, the young Nuggets wing whose profile fits the kind of size and versatility teams keep chasing in the postseason. The problem for the Lakers is familiar: even if Watson looks like a cleaner basketball fit, getting Denver to move him would likely require more draft value than Los Angeles can comfortably put on the table, leaving the front office to weigh whether a smaller swing is more realistic than the bigger one. [Read more 🡒]