The Indiana Pacers’ interest in Trey Murphy III still looks like one of the cleaner trade ideas floating around their future.
Murphy was one of the bigger names tied to Indiana in the rumor mill entering the 2026 NBA offseason, with the Pacers viewed as a possible landing spot for the New Orleans Pelicans wing. The fit is easy to see: Murphy is close friends with Tyrese Haliburton, he lines up with Indiana’s current timeline, and at 26 years old he is just getting into his prime.
That combination is what keeps the idea alive even though the offseason chatter never turned into a deal. Murphy would give the Pacers a player who can help them chase a title right away and also remain part of the foundation moving forward.
For now, though, a late-offseason splash does not look like the expectation. Indiana is more likely to be a team worth watching at the trade deadline, when the front office could decide to get aggressive if the Pacers are sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference at the midway point of the year. If that happens, the Murphy conversation could resurface quickly.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is one name that could enter those talks. The Pacers may have signed him with more than one purpose in mind, much like they did with Bruce Brown Jr. before the Pascal Siakam trade. Oubre could be a useful rotation piece and a trade asset at the same time.
Murphy’s production with New Orleans in the 2025-26 NBA season shows why he draws that kind of interest. He appeared in 66 games and averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He also shot 47 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three.
The scoring is obvious, but Murphy brings more than that. He is also regarded as a strong defender, which would fit neatly into Indiana’s defensive plans.
There is still a world where Oubre proves to be exactly what the Pacers want and never becomes part of a deal. But if Indiana decides to chase Murphy, a package built around Oubre, Obi Toppin, and Ben Sheppard could make sense.
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