The price tag on Trey Murphy has come down, and that matters for a Warriors team trying to keep its options open.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the New Orleans Pelicans forward remains on the radar for several teams, including Golden State. Scotto reported last Thursday that “Teams that are in the mix for (Trey) Murphy to varying degrees now are the (Boston) Celtics, (Detroit) Pistons, Warriors, (Los Angeles) Clippers, and Hawks,” and added that “Golden State’s interest in Murphy is to be determined with a LeBron James free agent pursuit in the air. The Pistons have consistently circled the wagons on Murphy in trade talks, but felt the price was too high.
“With the asking price dropping from the equivalent of four to three first-round picks in any Murphy trade talks recently, will Detroit have more of an appetite to make a trade following the loss of Tobias Harris in free agency?”
That shift still leaves Murphy in expensive territory. Three first-round picks is a hefty ask for a player who has not yet picked up an All-Star or All-NBA selection and hasn’t spent years proving himself in a high-pressure market.
Even so, the fit is obvious enough. If Golden State comes up short in the James chase - which remains a real possibility - the Warriors would need another way to add serious talent around Stephen Curry. Jimmy Butler is expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season while recovering from his ACL injury, so the need for help is only sharper.
Murphy has already shown why teams are interested. He opened his NBA career flashing the kind of two-way upside that makes front offices pay attention, and last season he put up 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals for New Orleans.
For now, though, Golden State’s attention appears to be pointed elsewhere. The Warriors’ priority remains trying to beat the odds and land James.
In Other News...
Pelicans Just Cleared A Bigger Frontcourt Opportunity Than Fans Realize
The Pelicans have quietly opened a bigger frontcourt lane than it first appeared, and Karlo Matkovic is one of the main beneficiaries. New Orleans kept the young forward in the fold for next season, while veteran center Kevon Looney is now gone after landing with the Lakers, leaving the roster leaning even harder on its younger bigs.
Matkovic gave the front office a reason to believe last season, when his shooting took a noticeable step forward and his efficiency fit what the Pelicans want around their core. With the team still thin up front and relatively quiet this offseason, his minutes should be easier to come by, which makes his development one of the more interesting subplots heading into camp. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Suddenly Face A Familiar Frontcourt Decision
Jonas Valanciunas is back on the market after his release from the Denver Nuggets, and that alone is enough to put New Orleans in familiar territory. The veteran center spent time with the Pelicans before, giving them steady production in the paint and on the glass, and his track record in the role is exactly why his name is already surfacing again as the frontcourt picture gets sorted out.
For a team that has spent plenty of time weighing size, rebounding and lineup balance, Valanciunas represents a straightforward kind of solution. The fit makes sense on paper because he could come in as a relatively affordable option, but there has been no official agreement yet, leaving the Pelicans with another frontcourt decision to monitor as the market develops. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Opener May Have Changed The Race For Roster Spots
The Pelicans summer league opener against Minnesota offered an early look at which young players might separate themselves in the scramble for roster spots, even in a 105-92 loss. Kobe Bufkin led the way with 30 points and gave New Orleans the kind of two-way activity teams want to see from an experienced player trying to establish himself in Vegas.
Micah Peavy also helped his case with a confident shooting night and active perimeter defense, while Markquis Nowell kept the offense organized and flashed the kind of playmaking that can matter in a crowded evaluation setting. Hunter Dickinson, meanwhile, did not help his own push for a role, leaving the Pelicans with at least a few clear winners from a game that may carry more weight than the final score suggests. [Read more 🡒]