For a while now, one of the most consistent teams linked by NBA insiders to Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III was the Detroit Pistons. This point was reiterated in the most recent edition of the Stein Line. NBA Insider Marc Stein mentioned another team, in addition to Detroit, that has expressed interest in Murphy III. That other team was the Indiana Pacers, who have been tossed around as a potential suitor, but weren’t widely viewed as a real suitor, until now.
After reading this report, I opened up the trade machine and started drawing up what a potential deal could look like. I quickly realized Indiana could offer exactly what Joe Dumars would be looking for in a Murphy III trade: win-now players.
The deal I came up with sees Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, two future first-round picks, and one swap go to the Pelicans for Murphy III. It’s well known that the Pelicans want to compete and make a playoff push next season, and this deal allows them to do that while still bringing in assets to use down the road.Â
Both Nembhard and Nesmith were instrumental in the Pacers' run to the finals in 2025 and could bring the same impact to New Orleans as the Pelicans try to make a return to the playoffs.
Indiana may have the best package for Murphy III
This past season, Nembhard averaged 16.9 points and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 36.1 percent from three in 57 games. Now this was in a very expanded role with Haliburton out for the season, and that context matters. However, he could provide similar production in the New Orleans backcourt. Whether it’s next to Jeremiah Fears or Dejounte Murray, he's projects as an elite connective fourth or fifth starter. With his ability to be a gritty defender from the point of attack, run an offense, and space things out, he could be a perfect fit for this team.
Nesmith also had an above-average season with Haliburton out, averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. The biggest draw to Nesmith for New Orleans isn’t his general box score stats—it’s his shooting. With a career three-point percentage of 38.3 percent, he could help replace a big portion of the spacing that the Pelicans would lose by trading Murphy III.
In the majority of Murphy III trade proposals I’ve seen, whether with Detroit or someone else, the biggest issue is that New Orleans always takes a hit in floor spacing. That’s what makes a deal with Indiana unique. it doesn’t just help them break even; it may actually make the Pelicans a better three-point shooting team.
The Pelicans' projected depth chart after a deal like this, assuming no other moves, would give New Orleans a really strong rotation. Murray, Fears, Nembhard, Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey, Nesmith, Derik Queen, Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, Bryce McGowens, and Karlo Matkovic. Sure, New Orleans would still be thin at the five, but they could then package off either Jordan Poole or Murray and attach some of that draft capital to fix that hole.
If Joe Dumars is trying to capitalize on Trey Murphy III's red-hot trade value and compete for a playoff berth next season, this deal with Indiana is his best path to doing so. It improves the Pelicans' spacing, gives them two experienced playoff contributors, and brings in future assets.
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