Should the Detroit Pistons go all-in on a move for Trey Murphy this offseason?
As the hot stove heats up for the offseason, the Detroit Pistons have an array of options to consider in the lead-up to the 2026 NBA Draft later this month. From an assets perspective, the Pistons pick at No. 21 overall this season, but they have three picks in the second round of the ‘27 Draft and four for the second round in ‘28.
Given that collection in addition to Detroit’s own selections, the Pistons have a treasure trove of future assets to combine with cap flexibility this summer. Since 35-year old Tobias Harris is entering unrestricted free agency, the Pistons could be on the lookout for an answer at the four who can grow alongside Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, so it’s very possible that Detroit targets that profile on the trade market if not during the draft itself.
But in terms of players who could change home bases this offseason, New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy continues to pop up in trade discussions, and his versatile, dynamic skill set as a sharp-shooting 6-8 could take a team like the Pistons to the next level. According to Bill Simmons, Murphy is a player that he expects to be traded over the next three weeks, which would align with a major deal leading right into the draft.
“We assume he’s probably going to get traded over the next three weeks,” Simmons said regarding Murphy. “I think Boston is a possibility. We thought whoever lost this matchup [Spurs and Thunder] is a possibility. You have two to three weeks to trade for someone like that.”
Now, a young player of Murphy’s caliber would require a significant return after he turned in another 21-point, five-rebound, three-assist campaign for the Pelicans, so that’s where the Pistons’ collection of draft picks comes in. Of course, Detroit would need to sweeten the pot with likely more than one first round selection in addition to multiple rotation players, but the market for Murphy should be a competitive one.
Heading into his sixth season as a pro, Murphy has the length to space the floor for the Pistons, and his career 38% three-point clip would boost a Detroit unit in desperate need of perimeter scoring. Murphy could shine on a team that prioritizes transition baskets like the Pistons do, and Detroit would have a responsibility to make a run at Murphy if his services are available this offseason.
So far, Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon has shown a patient, pragmatic sense of doing business while pulling the strings for Detroit’s roster, so it’s unclear when the organization will shift gears into an outright win-now mode– or if they need to. But Langdon did admit that the team looked at adding three-point shooting and ball handling at the most recent Trade Deadline before securing a three-team deal that brought Kevin Huerter into the Motor City, so the Pistons could continue to apply pressure on the trade market this summer.
If the Pistons do decide to bring in outside talent, Murphy is a hooper who could flourish in a high-octane setting with a creator of Cunningham’s level who can find him open looks along the perimeter.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
