While the New Orleans Pelicans are not expected to be a playoff-contending team in the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors certainly are. The Warriors’ offseason was anything but interesting, seemingly having done their most damage last season in acquiring Jimmy Butler via trade. Since then, crickets have been the only noise coming from The Bay. That said, a quiet offseason doesn’t mean Golden State is done making moves. It’s expected they will likely to do so again before next year’s trade deadline. Who they could target will eventually become a topic of conversation. However, according to one NBA source, the Warriors could target Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.
Pelicans Star Emerges As New Target of Interest for Warriors
Golden State Warriors have Trey Murphy III as a target of interest amid Jonathan Kuminga commotion
The Warriors are set with their Big 3 — Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Butler — for the time being. That said, similar to last season, their depth and bench presence remain a question. Where they will get their offensive push from the bench has become increasingly highlighted, given the Jonathan Kuminga stories over the summer, and whether or not he would return to the Warriors for the new season. As it stands, Kuminga will return. But if there is one player in the league whose future with his current franchise is as muddled as can be, it’s Kuminga. Although with preseason still a few weeks away, circumstances can still change.
According to Jake Fisher of The Stein Line, with Kuminga’s future in serious doubt, the Warriors could have interest in other figures around the league. Fisher points to the Pelicans’ Murphy as one of them. What makes this story even more interesting is the fact that Murphy was on Golden State’s draft board in 2021. As Fisher states, the franchise has a genuine interest in returning to that draft board, so to speak.
“Trey Murphy III in New Orleans is someone the Warriors really have interest in,” Fisher told Bleacher Report. “Someone they almost took in that 2021 NBA Draft at No. 14 overall when they were deciding between Trey Murphy III and Moses Moody, just like the Warriors were deciding between [Jonathan] Kuminga and Franz Wagner.”
As it happens, both Murphy and Wagner have turned into solid players for their respective franchises. Moody, on the other hand, has taken longer to solidify his place with the Warriors, despite the three-year contract extension he signed last October.
Murphy’s skillset fits the Warriors playing style
What are the Warriors best known for in the Curry era? Shooting. Murphy certainly brings shooting to the table, especially three-point shooting. For his career, Murphy has shot 38% from long distance, an attribute that would almost certainly boost Golden State’s offense. Shooting, however, is not the only skill set the Warriors could graciously benefit from having Murphy.
On the defensive side, Murphy offers a versatile defender mentality. His solid perimeter presence is aided by his lengthy wingspan and ability to stay in front of his opponents. Murphy makes for the perfect three-and-D player. Additionally, he’s also considered one of the league’s best teammates in the locker room. Murphy could prove to be Golden State’s best target mid-season, and if so, it could turn out to be a valuable move, especially if Kuminga is on his way out.
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