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There is one name the Warriors — and certainly their fan base — could become enamored with in the coming weeks. If they haven’t already.
With the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline exactly four weeks away, New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III has been linked to the Warriors on numerous occasions, even dating back to the offseason when young forward Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency was in limbo.
However, the Pelicans reportedly have been reluctant to part with the 25-year-old wing and, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson, a potential trade for Murphy could cost the Warriors three first-round picks.
So, what would a potential trade package for Murphy look like? ESPN NBA insiders constructed a potential three-team trade that would send Murphy to Golden State:
Golden State Warriors get:
– Jordan Hawkins
– Trey Murphy III
New Orleans Pelicans get:
– Jonathan Kuminga
– Moses Moody
– 2026 first-round pick (via Warriors)
– 2028 first-round pick (via Warriors, top-10 protected)
– 2030 first-round pick (via Warriors, if No. 5 to 20)
Utah Jazz get:
– Kevon Looney
– 2031 second-round pick (via Raptors)
– 2032 second-round pick (via Pelicans)
– Cash considerations
The Warriors would part with Kuminga, who already seems all but certain to be traded in the coming weeks, young guard Moses Moody and three first-round picks (one top-10 protected, one if Golden State’s selection lands within pick Nos. 5 to 20 in 2030) for Murphy and Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins.
“There is risk in this trade when considering the uncertain future of Golden State’s roster,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks wrote. “Besides the newly acquired Murphy, there would be no current Warriors under contract when the 2028 and 2030 first-round picks sent to New Orleans get made.
“But similar to Milwaukee’s approach with [Giannis] Antetokounmpo, there is an obligation to maximize the championship window with Curry and Jimmy Butler III on the roster. And three first-rounders is too much of an offer for New Orleans to refuse, even if they have to include Murphy in the trade.”
Murphy, in his fifth NBA season, is averaging a career-high 21.3 points, 6.1 points and 3.5 assists per game on 49.5-percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent from 3-point range in 35 games this season.
Many believe that Murphy’s 3-and-D skill set is a perfect fit for Golden State, but with a potential high price tag, should the Warriors be willing to give up that much to acquire him?