San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs trade rumors, trade targets, Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors, trade targets, Trey Murphy trade rumors, New Orleans Pelicans
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The San Antonio Spurs are linked to Trey Murphy in trade rumors to pair with Victor Wembanyama, a player the Los Angeles Lakers would love.
TheSan Antonio Spurs have proven to be title contenders this season with the supporting cast they’veput around superstar Victor Wembanyama in his third NBA season.
While the 7’5″ French center has dealt with numerous injuries this season, the Spurs have also fared well without him, but that shouldn’t rule them out from being buyers as the 2026 NBA trade deadline approaches.
In a recent article on Bleacher Report, Any Bailey predicted San Antonio will target a second-tier star in hopes of securing their roster ahead of a playoff push. While superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lauri Markkanen would be great additions, they might be out of reach for the Spurs, so, as Bailey wrote, someone like Trey Murphy of the New Orleans Pelicans might be a better option.
“The closer we get to the deadline, the harder it is to imagine San Antonio parting with either Harper or Castle (or even De’Aaron Fox). And the easier it is to imagine the Spurs taking some portion of a Giannis or Markkanen offer and still landing a potential difference-maker like Trey Murphy III,” Bailey wrote.
While the Spurs could be targeting Murphy, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to him and Herb Jones over the past few months. With the far greater assets San Antonio would have to offer, them jumping in on trade negotiations for either two, as each offers a similar skillset, would only mean bad news for the Lakers.
Spurs Trade Rumors As The Deadline Approaches
Initially, San Antonio was one of the top teams linked to Antetokounmpo after NBA insider Shams Charania reported on his uncertain future with the Milwaukee Bucks.However, as the months have goneon, and a new reportin which Antetokounmpo would never ask tobe traded, he nowlooks like an unlikely option.
Similar story with Markkanen, as though the Spurs were linked to himas well, the Utah Jazz don’t appear to be listening to offers for their star big man, despite theirfast-track to another lottery appearance. If San Antoniolanded eithertwo, they would both make for a fascinating duo with Wembanyama, but for now, at least, the Spurs are likelygoing to target someone who is both more available andwould have alot lower price tag.
But at the same time they were linked by Bailey to a player like Murphy, insider Chris Haynes reported that the Pelicanshaven’t liked the trade market for most of their top players,and, reportedly, aren’t interested in moving any of them before the deadline.
Chris Haynes
Sources: New Orleans Pelicans are disappointing the market in informing teams that Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears will remain with the organization past Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Yet still, as Brett Siegel mentioned, just because someone reports a lackluster trade marketon certain players, it does not signal they are safe in their current situations. Perhaps New Orleans didn’t like the offersthey got from the Lakers or Golden State Warriors for Murphy, but unlike those two teams, the Spurs have aton more to offer.
It would be hard seeing them give up one of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, or rookie Dylan Harper, but with the 3-and-D ability someone like Murphy could offer, breaking up their backcourt trio might be worth it.Additionally, while they’ve spent time together on the floortogether, playing all three at the same time with Wembanyama and one other wing might not be the best for the team.
If they can add Murphy to gain more versatility, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and Luke Kornet could be on the table, but it’s hard to see the Pelicans giving up their best player in a deal that wouldn’t include Fox, Castle, or Harper.
Victor Wembanyama Continues To Dominate
Regardless of whether the Spurs make a deal before the deadline, the moreimportant storyline surrounding the team is Wembanyama and his strong return from injury.The star has spent adecent amount ofgames coming off the bench for San Antonio recently, which has provenextremely beneficial as he’sbeen matched up against opponents’ second units,which has been lethal.
However, he did start in the team’s latest game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, in which star Anthony Edwards hit a game-winning shot over Wembanyama in the final seconds. He played 27 minutes, but had 29 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in what was an off-shooting night.
ClutchPoints
ANTHONY EDWARDS AGAIN! 😤
Ant kisses it off the glass for the eventual game-winning shot to take down the Spurs 🔥
Still, as San Antonio continues to ramp up his minutes after a recent knee injury, the Frenchman continues to prove himself as one of the best and most efficient players in the league. In 16 starts in 25 games, Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game on 51.6% shooting in 29 minutes per night.
The Spurs’ supporting cast has played tremendously both with Wembanyama in the lineupand when he’s been out, putting the team second in the Western Conference standings with a 27-12 record, but when he’s on the court, their franchise star continues to be the main reason for their success.
San Antonio’s next game comes against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the fourth addition of what appears to be the league’s newest and most entertaining rivalry.The Spurs have beaten the Thunder three times so far this season, and with a fourth, would surelyscare the defending champions enough if a potential playoff series between the two franchisescomes about.