Nets Are Frontrunners in Trey Murphy Trade Sweepstakes

The Brooklyn Nets are still making moves in the trade market, as Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Brooklyn is a frontrunner in the sweepstakes for New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.

Amick reported that the 26-year-old has signaled a desire to play elsewhere. He highlighted that there are many suitors for the Pelicans' wing, and a draft-night deal could happen.

"The market is going to be pretty robust," Amick wrote. "[The] Brooklyn [Nets] and the [Los Angeles] Clippers were mentioned as teams that were out front in that race, but I think the list is very long. I think that Detroit [Pistons] comes to mind."

The Boston Celtics are also a part of the race, as they missed out on acquiring Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Brooklyn has a lot of competition, but it has the picks and young talent to acquire Murphy III.

Murphy III is a 6-foot-8 forward who can score and shoot without needing the ball in his hands as a No. 1 option. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season and made 37.9% of his 8.6 three-point attempts.

The former Virginia Cavalier can shoot off the dribble, off the catch or from the team logo. He would instantly bolster the Nets' shooting prowess with Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Dëmin, and play off a lead guard if Brooklyn selects one with the No. 6 pick.

Many teams have coveted Murphy III's services, but New Orleans never folded. Now, there is a real chance he plays for another team, and the Pelicans could be a haul for the North Carolina native.

Acquiring Murphy III could make the Nets a contender for the best offseason in the league before free agency starts. They absorbed Julius Randle's contract in a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday night, and he brings physicality with his ability to play through contact.

Brooklyn sent Nicolas Claxton to the Bulls, who absorbed his contract with cap space as well, meaning Day'Ron Sharpe is the starting center. The team still has the No. 6 pick in Tuesday's draft and likely isn't trading it.

They could form a formidable team with the No. 6 pick, Murphy III, Randle and Porter Jr. The Nets still have the young players they drafted last year, who could develop into rotational players.

The Nets have quickly gone from one of the worst teams in the league to fielding a competitive team next season that could make the playoffs.

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