The New Orleans Pelicans have seen a lot of trade offers for Trey Murphy, but this hypothetical package from the San Antonio Spurs is one of the better ones.
Everyone in the NBA has seemingly tried to trade for New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy this season, to no avail. What will be the package that finally gets offered and accepted by the Pelicans' front office?
Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes took a swing at coming up with a trade with the San Antonio Spurs that is at least one of the closer offers seen, but not quite right for New Orleans.
The proposed deal would see the Pelicans sending Trey Murphy and Dejounte Murray to the Spurs in exchange for De’Aaron Fox, Luke Kornet, a 2027 first, a 2030 first, a 2031 pick swap with the Sacramento Kings, their 2028/29 seconds and a third second.
That is one of the best packages offered for Murphy, but it is layered. If New Orleans isn’t scared away by the Fox contract, then they would maybe take this deal.
Fox is in the first year of his veteran maximum extension. He’s still a talented player, but San Antonio doesn’t really need him anymore due to their young guards breaking out, especially not for an AAV of $55 million.
The biggest reason that they wouldn’t do it is Jeremiah Fears. Murray is less of an impactful veteran because he’s not on a maximum deal and his contract is over in half the time. For those reasons, he’ll also be easier to move when it comes time to hand Fears the keys.
Everything else about this deal is on point, though.
Kornet would actually be a fun addition to this team. They saw firsthand what he could do a couple of times last year when he performed well off the bench. He has inherent value at 7-foot-1, though that isn’t as impressive on the Spurs.
The draft compensation also seems to be on point for what they were asking for. Two firsts and a swap. If New Orleans had been offered that deal before drafting Fears, they might have done it.
The idea of sending Murphy to San Antonio is scary, as he really would be the perfect piece to add to that team. He is complimentary piece for almost anyone, though, which is why he is so highly sought after.
The Pelicans still have him under contract until the 2028/2029 season ends, so there is no rush to deal him. They will have to assess their likelihood of signing him to an extension, though, in order to maximize his value.
