Trey Murphy III Drawing Trade Interest as Warriors, Blazers Circle Ahead of Deadline
As the NBA trade deadline inches closer, the buzz around New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III is getting louder-and it’s not just coming from the Bay Area. While the Golden State Warriors have long admired Murphy’s game, they’re far from the only team in the Western Conference keeping tabs on the versatile 25-year-old.
League executives believe Murphy has caught the eye of several franchises, with the Warriors and Trail Blazers both surfacing as teams to watch. Golden State, in particular, has had Murphy on its radar since his draft days, and the interest hasn’t cooled. But there’s a twist: some around the league think the Warriors may be holding out for a bigger fish-namely, a potential pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo-before committing major trade assets toward a deal for Murphy.
That hesitation could open the door for other suitors. Portland is one of them.
The Blazers have reportedly emerged as a team to watch in the buyer’s market, and Murphy’s name is one that has come up in their internal discussions. According to multiple league sources, some front offices are wondering if it would take a haul similar to what Memphis gave up for Desmond Bane to pry Murphy away from New Orleans.
And that’s no small ask. Murphy is in the first year of a four-year, $112 million extension he signed in October 2024, earning $27 million this season. He’s under contract through 2028-29, which-paired with his age and production-makes him one of the more valuable trade chips in the league right now.
On the floor, Murphy’s been delivering. He’s putting up 21.1 points, 6.5 boards, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while logging 35.5 minutes per night over 25 appearances.
He’s shooting just under 49% from the field and 36% from deep, all while guarding multiple positions and providing a steady two-way presence. In a season where consistency has been hard to come by for the Pelicans, Murphy has been one of the few bright spots.
Still, New Orleans is in a tough spot. Despite back-to-back wins, including a 114-104 victory over the Bulls, the Pelicans are sitting at 5-22 and near the bottom of the Western Conference. The team is clearly evaluating its long-term direction, but moving Murphy-one of their most promising young pieces-would be a major decision, and not one they’re expected to make lightly.
That won’t stop teams from calling.
Golden State, sitting at 13-14 after a 136-131 loss to Portland, is searching for answers. The Warriors are hovering around .500 and looking for ways to recalibrate a roster that’s been inconsistent. They’ll try to get back on track Thursday night against the Suns (14-12), with a three-game homestand looming that includes another matchup with Phoenix.
Portland, meanwhile, is 10-16 and fresh off that win over the Warriors. That result only adds fuel to the speculation that the Blazers could be buyers at the deadline. They’ll host the 6-20 Kings on Thursday night, and how they perform in the coming weeks could determine just how aggressive they get.
As for New Orleans, they’ll begin a three-game homestand Thursday against the 16-7 Rockets. Even if they’re not actively shopping Murphy, his name isn’t going away anytime soon. With his age, contract, and two-way impact, he fits the mold of the kind of player contenders-and up-and-comers like Portland-are willing to pay for.
Whether the Pelicans are ready to listen is the question that could shape the trade deadline.