The Detroit Pistons are scanning the market for an ideal upgrade to help alleviate the offensive burden from Cade Cunningham's back ahead of next season and one option that keeps coming back up is New Orleans Pelicans' forward Trey Murphy III.
Detroit isn't in a position to risk their future for a swing that doesn't propel them back to the NBA Finals, and there's no guarantee Murphy III is the player to do that. Still, Trajan Langdon has every reason to at least inquire about the All-Star caliber wing, even if it's just to gauge the price tag on the versatile forward.
Bill Simmons has flirted with the idea of his Boston Celtics eyeing a trade for Murphy III, and if his trade speculation proves true, the Pistons could be headed for insult to injury.
Trey Murphy III landing with the Celtics is worst-case scenario
It's important to note that Simmons is a well-respected voice, but he isn't considered an NBA Insider.
Still, considering Simmons long-time fandom of the Celtics, it's clear he at least has some idea about the team's plans, and considering he's reluctantly denied Boston's interest in joining the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, it suggests they could be eyeing another deal.
That's where Murphy III comes in.
The price Boston would pay for Murphy III is unknown, but regardless, it's safe to assume he'd be a big-time addition for the Celtics, whose postseason collapse proved they need additional offensive weapons.
For Detroit, losing out on Trey Murphy III is one thing, but watching him land with an Eastern Conference rival is another.
if he's not Motor City-bound, the Pistons should be rooting for Murphy III to remain in the Western Conference rather than landing in the East, especially on a contending squad that Detroit could be forced to go through.
Pistons either need to one-up the Celtics offer or hope OKC steps in
Whether Murphy III lands in Detroit, Boston, or Indiana is to be seen, but it at least seems confirmed that New Orleans is finally going to pull the trigger on a trade for their young forward.
If the Pistons are indeed interested, Detroit should do whatever they can to ensure Murphy III isn't Beantown-bound, whether that's by beating Boston's offer or somehow swaying the Pelicans into accepting an offer to keep him in the West, even if that comes by way of the Oklahoma City Thunder getting involved.
Regardless, if the Celtics land Murphy III, it'll clearly be a bad start to the Pistons offseason.
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