One longtime rumored Warriors target could be available this NBA offseason.
No, not the superstar in Milwaukee. And no, not the veteran stars in Los Angeles.
Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, who Golden State reportedly has had interest in over the past two years, could be a more realistic option this offseason with New Orleans, which does not own its first-round pick, potentially looking to jump into the first round, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported in a story published Wednesday, citing league sources.
“New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III could be more obtainable in this transaction cycle, league sources said,” Slater wrote. “Murphy is a player the Warriors front office has circled for years as a prime wing who fits a need, the [Steve] Kerr system and, at 25, accomplishes the goal of getting younger.
“The Pelicans have clung to him tightly, but league sources said New Orleans has been signaling a desire to jump into the first round of next week’s draft. The Warriors have the 11th pick and control of their future firsts.”
New Orleans traded its first-round pick this year to the Atlanta Hawks in a draft-night deal last year to move up from pick No. 23 to 13 and select center Derik Queen.
In 66 games last season, Murphy averaged a career-high 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game on 47-percent shooting from the field and 37.9 percent from 3-point range.
The 25-year-old’s trade value could be at an all-time high, so if New Orleans is open to dealing him, it likely will cost the Warriors a significant package of current and future assets.