One of the biggest surprises through the early stages of the 2026 NBA Playoffs is the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic jumping out to a 3-1 lead over the one-seeded Detroit Pistons. After a dominant regular season that saw the Pistons win 60 games and Cade Cunningham establish himself as a top 10 and borderline top five player in the world, expectations were high for the postseason. However, the team's biggest roster flaw continues to show, as all season it was clear Detroit lacked secondary scoring and ball handling, and Orlando has exposed that.
With the Pistons on the ropes, many have started looking toward the offseason and floating ideas for how the front office can address its need for secondary scoring. In a recent appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Shams Charania said he expects Detroit to be hunting for star-level talent and mentioned New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III.
Shams Charania expects the Pistons to make moves this off-season
— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) April 28, 2026
“I do expect them to be star hunting or hunting for that type of player.”
Via @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/LUHjGv0sM6
For some time now, there has been a small link between the Pistons and the 25-year-old sniper, as in theory, he would be the perfect co-star next to Cunningham. Although the Pelicans' front office appears committed to this core and has set a high asking price for Murphy III, Joe Dumars and company could leverage Detroit's desperation.
New Orleans could cash in on the Pistons' desperation
In the 2025–26 season, Murphy III averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, while shooting 37.9 percent from three on over eight attempts per game. For a Pistons team that has the worst offensive rating and three-point percentage in the postseason, adding "Trigga Trey" would be a big boost. During the regular season, Jalen Duren broke out, making an All-Star appearance and heading towards a big payday this summer, but in round one, he's been a non-factor. Duren's poor play has only amplified the need for some secondary shot creation.
Murphy III is the perfect fit for Detroit as he helps address both their spacing problem, which can lessen some of Cunningham’s offensive load, fits their timeline, and is on a team-friendly deal. Murphy III is under contract until 2028–29 at an average annual salary of $28 million.
At 25, he has established himself as a very reliable off-ball scorer and is only continuing to grow his isolation scoring. While the idea of what Murphy III could become may make the Pelicans' front office hesitant to trade him, Detroit has a ton of intriguing assets to offer in a potential trade. A package including Isaiah Stewart, Daniss Jenkins, Ron Holland, and control over their own first-round picks from 2027 to 2032 could set New Orleans up nicely for the future.
Although Murphy III's ability to be an elite spacer has made him an instrumental piece alongside Zion Williamson, trading him could give the Pelicans the assets needed to balance out this roster.
New Orleans desperately needs a five-man, and the combination of Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey gives them wing depth that could ease the blow of trading Murphy III. Depending on how desperate Detroit gets, they could entertain a package of Stewart, Holland, the projected 21st pick in the 2026 draft from Minnesota, and several future picks. If a deal like that is put on the table, passing it up could be a costly mistake for a Pelicans team in dire need of balancing out their roster.
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