The Pelicans are showing a willingness to listen to trade offers for Trey Murphy III, who the Detroit Pistons are interested in. As Jake Fischer of The Stein Line wrote most recently, New Orleans would "want a lot" for the 26-year-old. He added that they're "interested in acquiring a lottery pick" in next week's draft (subscription required).
Detroit has draft capital it could offer in a trade for Murphy, but it doesn't have a 2026 lottery pick. The only pick that the Pistons have this year is No. 21, and they could be willing to give that up for the wing, but there is a team that could offer the Pelicans what they're looking for.
The Warriors have the No. 11 selection, and Murphy has also been on their radar. Fischer wrote that rival teams have started to "pinpoint" Golden State as a "potential trade opportunity," but that's "partly" because the New Orleans wing could be available.
Pelicans are trying to acquire a lottery pick in this year's draft
If only New Orleans hadn't sent Atlanta its 2026 unprotected pick during last year's draft when it traded up to select Derik Queen. The Hawks have the No. 8 selection next week because of the Pelicans' mismanagement, and the Warriors could, too, emerge as winners from that if they get Murphy.
The talent in this year's lottery class may be too much for New Orleans to resist, as Fischer said they're eyeing Nate Ament, giving even more reason to do business with Golden State if the Warriors are truly interested in giving up their pick.
They do want to prioritize youth this offseason, and adding a lottery pick to the roster would achieve that goal, but so would getting Murphy. Adding an established player alongside Steph Curry would be a bonus, though it could also mean giving up someone like Draymond Green. It could depend on how far the Warriors are willing to go.
Detroit should be rooting for Golden State to keep the pick, but the Warriors aren't the only team that they have to worry about when it comes to Murphy. Marc Stein reported that, along with the Pistons, the Pacers are also interested. More suitors could, and probably will, be added to that list.
The Warriors may be the only one who can offer the Pelicans what they hope to have on Tuesday, though, and that could motivate New Orleans to get a deal done.
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