The New Orleans Pelicans are counting down the days until the 2024-25 NBA season trade deadline. For them, it's not just about making deals anymore. This year's trade deadline could legitimately change the fate of the Pelicans franchise and have lasting ramifications on the organization for years to come. No biggie, though.
One thing's for sure, the Pelicans have to be active on the trade market this season. Normally, that statement is made about buyers who need one more piece or two to really flesh out their championship team. For New Orleans, though, they need to be heavy sellers to ensure that they lose as many games as possible to finish the tank that was cursed upon them.
The Pelicans have sorted their roster into three separate sections this year: players that will be traded, players they want to trade, and their untouchable assets. We'll have to wait and see where players like CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram end up this year, but we know how some of the roster has been sorted. For example, Herb Jones isn't going anywhere, despite the interest he's drummed up from other teams. Another untouchable Pelicans player apparently would have had an impressive trade stock if he were available to be traded.
The Pelicans' Trey Murphy III is untouchable but would have commanded quite the return
The New Orleans Pelicans marked a few of their young players as untouchable assets this season, after marking the rest of the roster for sale. That list was made up of Herb Jones, rookie phenom Yves Missi, Jordan Hawkins, and rising star Trey Murphy III.
Taking a look at Trey's recent performance makes it clear why New Orleans named him a vital part of its future. At 6'10 with athleticism to spare and a picture-perfect outside shooting stroke, the sky has been the limit for Murphy III since he entered the NBA. This season, he's finally cashed in on some of his potential and turned it into production.
In his last 17 games, Murphy III has averaged 24.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep. He hasn't just increased his counting stats either. He's gone from a 3-point specialist to a legitimate three-level scorer who constantly pressures opposing defenses. The Pelicans have even started winning some of their games, in large part due to Murphy's ascension.
Marc Stein on The Stein Line reported that the Brooklyn Nets' Cameron Johnson is set to be a major target at this season's trade deadline. He noted that the Nets have been asking for two future first-round picks and a young player in return for Johnson. Despite that lofty price, Johnson has still generated plenty of interest from pseudo-contenders looking to bolster their wing depth and 3-point shooting.
Johnson this season has averaged 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 49 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent marks from beyond the arc. He'd be an instant boon for any team's perimeter attack and could legitimately take a burgeoning contender over the hump.
Trey Murphy III is putting up similar numbers with more established players on his team commanding the basketball. He also has a more promising ceiling due to his advantages as an athlete and a defender. He's also four years younger than Johnson. Even if TMIII were available for trade, it'd take a king's ransom to pry him out of New Orleans.