The New Orleans Pelicans still aren’t looking to move Trey Murphy, even with the rumor mill spinning hard around him all offseason.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line and Bleacher Report, the Pelicans would prefer to keep Murphy, which lines up with the organization’s stance throughout the summer. The confusion has come from the level of interest around him, not from any real change in New Orleans’ thinking.
Murphy’s market has been loud enough to make it seem like a deal might be possible, but the Pelicans have shown no interest in moving him unless the return is overwhelming. There’s been speculation that New Orleans asked for four first-round picks, and that kind of asking price tells the story: only a massive offer would get them to budge. If the team wanted to cash him out, it likely could have done so months ago.
That patience may frustrate some observers, especially with the Pelicans still quiet on the transaction front this offseason. But dealing Murphy just to make a move would be a mistake. The 26-year-old was New Orleans’ best player last season, and he has a strong case to be the best player on this roster again.
It’s easy to see why so many teams were interested. Murphy is a 6-foot-8 wing who averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season while shooting 47.0/37.9/88.6. He also took 8.6 three-pointers per game, and that kind of production is exactly why the Pelicans are in no rush to let him go.
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