Overview
- This week Marc Stein reported that the Pelicans, under EVP Joe Dumars, are for the first time willing to take calls on 25-year-old Trey Murphy III while not actively shopping him.
- League sources describe interest as intense and identify the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers as teams that have already inquired about Murphy.
- Murphy is coming off a breakout 2025–26 season averaging about 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists while entering the second year of a four-year, $112 million extension.
- Teams face practical limits in any deal because New Orleans is asking a very high price and does not own its 2026 first-round pick, which reduces the draft capital it can use in trades.
- Next steps include possible draft- or free-agent–period offers and rapid negotiations as contenders weigh salary matching, player pieces and multiple future first-round picks to assemble competitive packages.