Warriors Lose $112M Trade Target as Giannis–Stephen Curry Team-Up Dream Takes Drastic Turn

The Golden State Warriors remain motionless as the trade clock ticks louder. Earlier links connected them to Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Michael Porter Jr. However, Jimmy Butler’s ACL setback has heightened urgency around Stephen Curry’s supporting cast. Yet momentum stalls again because a New Orleans Pelicans player that the Dubs wanted also appears unavailable.

Trey Murphy III is off the table, according to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. Halfway through the 2025-26 regular season, the Pelicans have reached a breaking point. Their 11-36 record places them near the bottom of the Western Conference, forcing leadership to act now. Therefore, they’re planning an aggressive reset.

The focus now shifts toward clearing ineffective veteran deals, recovering draft assets, and adding frontcourt strength. Murphy, who is on a $112 million contract, remains firmly off the table, and executive VP Joe Dumars has drawn a clear line.

The Pelicans are more in a buyer’s mode than a seller’s, indicating their plans for a rebuild. Other than Murphy, they have added Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones to the “unlikely to move” category.

Now, this is a setback for the Dubs’ dream of pairing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Curry. Well, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Milwaukee Bucks have seemingly realized that the pathway to building a contender around Antetokounmpo is fading.

The timing of such a realization could be an advantage for the Warriors. However, considering he is sidelined with a right calf injury, it’s unlikely that the Bucks would trade him at the midseason deadline. Had Murphy been available to the Dubs, the option to use him to sweeten a deal with the Bucks would have been possible.

Thus, once again, Murphy’s unavailability takes center stage, as insider John Dickinson believes the 25-year-old is the only one who fits the Warriors’ system.

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Trey Murphy III could move the needle for the Warriors, but a lot needs to fall into place for that to happen

The Golden State Warriors continue to evaluate options that could provide immediate impact while maintaining long-term flexibility. Within league discussions, Trey Murphy III stood out as a rare fit. He would complement Stephen Curry and align with future scenarios involving Jimmy Butler.

However, any serious dialogue begins with Jonathan Kuminga and a package of draft selections…

“Trey Murphy’s been on a tear here in the last month, basically,” Dickinson mentioned. “He’s looked like a different player. He hasn’t just been the catch-and-shoot 3-and-D guy. He now creates offense off the dribble, attacks closeouts, and converts pull-up jumpers.”

This growth has reshaped how evaluators view him. Murphy increasingly resembles a featured scoring option rather than a complementary shooter who stretches the floor. At present, he is averaging 22.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and a 49.4 FG%.

However, acquiring Murphy would require significant draft compensation (maybe Jonathan Kuminga as well), and a recent report from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints states that the Warriors “won’t give up everything for him.”

Front offices must decide how far to go. Would two first-round picks justify the upside? That internal calculation defines everything.

The Warriors are dreaming big, but avenues keep closing because Murphy stays home. Antetokounmpo feels out of reach. The Warriors pause again.

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