Trey Murphy III’s name is coming up in trade rumors as teams around the league see what it will take to acquire the New Orleans Pelicans sharpshooter. If the latest rumors are true, Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver will lead this Pelicans team into years of mediocrity instead of fast-tracking a rebuild with multiple first-round draft picks.
It’s not surprising that Murphy is drawing a lot of interest, but what will it take for the Pelicans to trade away the 25-year-old?
There have been numerous reports dating back to last season’s trade deadline about what the Pelicans are looking for in return for Murphy. According to The Stein Line, “they want a lot.”
This is not surprising, although it’s good to know Dumars and Weaver aren’t going to trade one of their best players for just anything.
In Marc Stein’s latest report, he also reveals that the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers have shown interest in Murphy.
If the Pelicans trade Murphy, would it be part of a larger package for a superstar like Jaylen Brown, or for multiple first-round draft picks?
According to Jake Fischer, the Pelicans are looking for the former. When teams came calling around the trade deadline, Fischer explains that the Pelicans “didn’t really want a picks-laden package.”
Fischer continued, "I think if the Pelicans were to move Trey Murphy III, it would be for more of a buy-now, get-better type of acquisition."
If this is true, Dumars and Weaver are making a mistake.
Trey Murphy can be a part of a winning Pelicans team
The Pelicans have a young player in Murphy who continues to get better and hasn’t even reached his full potential yet. However, he is also good enough right now to be a key player on a winning team.
Murphy has averaged over 21 points per game in the last two seasons, and there is room for him to add to that.
Dumars and Weaver could include Murphy in a package for a star player, but Murphy is the type of player you want on your team if you are going to try to make the playoffs and beyond.
The Pistons and Pacers are interested in Murphy because they think he can be a pivotal part of their team as they try to contend for a championship.
It doesn’t sound like the Pelicans are shopping Murphy, rather other teams are trying to pry him loose from New Orleans. But if they do end up trading Murphy it needs to be for draft picks.
Trading Murphy must mean the Pelicans are going to rebuild. Get as many first-round picks as you can for him and start to rebuild around Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
Acquiring a star player is tempting, but if it means getting rid of Murphy, it is a mistake.
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