The hottest topic surrounding the Pelicans right now is the future of Trey Murphy III, after Marc Stein noted that league-wide interest in New Orleans' wing remains intense. In Stein's latest mention of Murphy III and the trade interest surrounding him, he mentioned two teams with a known infatuation: the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. It’s been speculated for some time now that Detroit could be the perfect spot for Murphy III, as he is the type of off-ball floor spacer that would thrive next to Cade Cunningham.Â
If Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver do entertain making a deal with their previous team, trade talks have to start with Ausar Thompson.Â
Many people, myself included, have probably been selling Murphy III too low when it comes to the mock trades we are drawing up for him heading into the offseason. If all the reports and rumors about interest in Murphy III across the league are true, New Orleans needs to be firm and set an extremely high asking price. For the Pistons, that high asking price has to include their rising young defensive wing, Ausar Thompson.
Ausar Thompson should be where talks with Detroit start
Since the 2025-26 season ended, Dumars has made it clear through his decisions and words that he wants this team to compete for a playoff spot next season. Trading a player coming off a season in which he averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 37.9 percent from three for draft capital would be a step back. To part with Murphy III and still have a shot at the postseason, New Orleans has to prioritize talent over picks in a trade with any team, and it appears that’s their plan.
Thompson may be the perfect headliner the Pelicans could get in a Murphy III package because he can be an impact player now and in the future. At 23 years old, he finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, averaged 2.9 stocks (steals + blocks) per game, and was the quarterback of the league's second-best defense last season.Â
Thompson has the size, toughness, skill set, and athleticism to truly guard every possession, and while his offensive game still needs polishing, that isn’t a reason to overlook his defense.Â
Dumars hired Jamahl Mosley as the franchise's next head coach to match his vision for the Pelicans. Since day one, Dumars has preached toughness, physicality, and a defense-first approach, and Mosley is the guy who can bring that to life. Now imagine giving Mosley a defensive game-wrecker like Ausar Thompson, and the Pelicans could be a consistently top-five defense for five-plus years.
I understand some Pelicans fans may not like the idea of trading a homegrown talent that is only getting better with each season, especially considering he’s also the team's best floor-spacer. However, if you can get a player like Thompson in return, address other areas of need, and bring in some future draft capital, the Pelicans have to do it. If he polishes off his offensive game, Thompson can truly be a top-five two-way player in the NBA.
Detroit may not like having to give up on an ascending young talent in Ausar Thompson, but if they aren’t willing to move him for Trey Murphy III, Joe Dumars should move on to a different suitor. The Pelicans have all the leverage in the world. Murphy III is young, versatile, plug-and-play, and on an incredibly team-friendly contract—exactly the type of player every team wants.
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