Warriors Zero In on Trey Murphy III as Long-Term Piece Beyond Curry Era
Golden State’s front office isn’t exactly being subtle these days. If there was any doubt that the Warriors have eyes on New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. pretty much removed all ambiguity during his latest press conference.
Fielding a question about what kind of return it would take for the Warriors to part with future first-round picks-especially those that would come due after Stephen Curry hangs it up-Dunleavy laid out the blueprint: a young, impactful player who can be part of the team’s next chapter.
“If we’re talking about draft picks that will be going out when Steph isn’t here, it’s going to have to be a player we think we’ll be getting back that is going to be here when those picks are going out,” Dunleavy said. “That player is going to have to be pretty impactful.”
He didn’t name names. But he didn’t need to.
Murphy, 25, fits that description to a tee. He’s young, productive, and under contract for the next three years at a team-friendly number.
And he’s been on Golden State’s radar since the offseason. With the Warriors reportedly willing to offer multiple first-round picks, it’s clear they view Murphy as more than just a complementary piece-he’s a bridge to the future.
The timing is interesting, too. Golden State’s season took a major hit with Jimmy Butler sidelined by a season-ending knee injury.
But even with Butler out, the Warriors haven’t backed off their pursuit of Murphy. That says a lot about how highly they value him-not just as a short-term fix, but as a foundational piece who can help extend the franchise’s relevance beyond the Curry era.
Murphy is putting up serious numbers this season: 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 49.7% from the field and 38.7% from beyond the arc. At 6’8”, with a smooth shooting stroke and two-way versatility, he checks a lot of boxes for a Warriors team that needs both present production and future upside.
Now, let’s be clear-there’s no indication that a deal is close. The Pelicans are reportedly holding firm, and understandably so. Murphy’s breakout season has made him a core part of New Orleans’ plans, and prying him loose won’t be easy.
Still, from Golden State’s perspective, Murphy might be the most realistic high-upside target available. Outside of a fantasy-land scenario where Giannis Antetokounmpo suddenly hits the trade block, Murphy remains the name most closely tied to serious Warriors interest.
Another name that’s surfaced again is Lauri Markkanen. The Warriors had strong interest in the Finnish forward back in the 2024 offseason, and at 28, he’s still young enough to fit into a long-term plan.
But there’s a catch-Markkanen’s salary is significantly higher than Murphy’s. Pulling off a deal for him would likely require including Butler’s $56.7 million contract, which would mean sending out even more assets to make the numbers work and convince Utah to take on that kind of salary.
That’s why Murphy remains the cleaner, more attainable option-at least in theory. He offers the kind of on-court impact and financial flexibility that aligns perfectly with Golden State’s current and future needs.
Whether or not a deal materializes before the trade deadline is another matter. But one thing’s certain: the Warriors are thinking beyond the Steph era. And Trey Murphy III is right at the top of their wish list.