Could the Warriors Make One More Big Move? A Closer Look at Trey Murphy III as a Trade Target
The Golden State Warriors have already made waves this trade season, pulling off a bold mid-season move by sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porziņģis. It was a statement deal-one that signaled the front office isn’t ready to fold on this era just yet. But with the deadline looming, the question now is: are the Warriors done dealing, or is there another card left to play?
There’s growing buzz that Golden State could still be eyeing another impact move, possibly involving a player who’s been on the radar of more than one contender-New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III. At just 25 years old, Murphy checks a lot of boxes for a team like the Warriors.
He’s long, athletic, and has quietly developed into a dangerous two-way threat. It’s not hard to see why he’s also been linked to the Lakers as a potential trade target.
Murphy’s numbers this season tell the story of a player hitting his stride. He’s averaging 21.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 47.1% from the field and 36.0% from deep. That kind of production, paired with his defensive versatility, makes him a rare commodity-especially for a team like Golden State that’s looking to retool around its veteran core without fully rebuilding.
The idea floating around is that the Warriors could put together a package that includes Draymond Green and draft capital to entice the Pelicans. Green’s contract runs two years shorter than Murphy’s, which could offer New Orleans some financial flexibility. Plus, Draymond could have trade value in his own right next season, particularly for a contender looking for playoff-tested leadership and defensive toughness.
But the real value in such a deal would be the picks. The Warriors could offer New Orleans a first-rounder in the loaded 2026 draft-a pick the Pelicans notoriously traded out of last summer.
Even with Murphy still on the roster, there’s a chance that pick ends up in the lottery. Add in future picks in 2028 and 2032, and it becomes a long-term play that could pay off after the Stephen Curry era winds down.
Still, there’s a major roadblock here: the Pelicans’ stance on Murphy. New Orleans has been publicly firm about keeping its young core intact, and Murphy is a big part of that. His steady development, two-way impact, and age make him exactly the kind of player teams build around-not shop around.
So while the Warriors could test New Orleans’ resolve with a compelling offer, prying Murphy loose before the trade deadline won’t be easy. The Pelicans like what they’re building, and unless Golden State is willing to significantly overpay, this might be a situation where interest doesn’t turn into action.
That said, the Warriors have shown they’re not afraid to shake things up. They’ve got the assets, they’ve got the urgency, and they’ve got a front office that knows how to make aggressive moves when the moment calls for it. Whether or not Trey Murphy III becomes the next piece in their puzzle, Golden State is still a team to watch as the deadline clock ticks down.