Ranking the New Orleans Pelicans top 6 trade assets

#5: Trey Murphy III

Since he was drafted with the 17th pick back in 2021, Trey Murphy III has done exactly what was expected of him. That is, played the role of a “three-and-D” wing. In fact, Murphy has clearly exceeded those expectations after taking a more than solid leap in his second season.

In 79 total games, Murphy started in 65 of them, averaging 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting over 40% from deep on more than 6.3 attempts per game. In just his second season, he became the archetype of the modern wing.

Murphy is not even 23 years old and is only due just $8.5 million over the next two years. His young age and affordable contract only serve to increase his value. And while he could easily find himself a member of the team’s core moving forward, he could also be used as a centerpiece in a deal to bring another All-Star-level player to New Orleans.

Teams are always searching for players like Murphy, and it’s rare they get the opportunity to acquire one that is so young and affordable. Any team looking to get younger or perhaps rearrange some things positionally speaking could certainly have interest in the two-way wing.

Teams like the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Hornets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, or the Toronto Raptors all make sense for Murphy and have the potential star power available to make him worth trading.