Steve Kerr, Warriors
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Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts from the bench.
The Golden State Warriors’ search for a high-impact wing upgrade suffered a significant setback as the NBA trade deadline approaches, with one of their top targets is now effectively off the table.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the New Orleans Pelicans have firmly closed the door on any possibility of moving their prized wings before the Feb. 5 deadline.
“Just as New Orleans has repeatedly insisted it intends to hold on to in-demand swingmen Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones,” Stein wrote Monday in The Stein Line.
The stance eliminates a key avenue for Golden State, which had quietly identified Murphy as its preferred wing target.
Trey Murphy III Was Warriors’ Preferred Wing Target
Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones
GettyHerb Jones on the left talking to Trey Murphy III on the right.
Murphy, 25, has been widely viewed inside league circles as the Warriors’ top wing priority.
Earlier this month, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported that Golden State was willing to discuss multiple first-round picks in pursuit of Murphy — a reflection of how highly the organization values his two-way profile.
“Michael Porter Jr., Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones are the Warriors’ top three trade targets at this time,” Siegel wrote. “While the Warriors would be open to moving two first-round picks for Murphy, Golden State is cognizant of needing to maintain future draft assets.”
Siegel added that Golden State was far more reluctant to move similar draft capital for Porter, especially if such a deal required including Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
Why Murphy Fit Steve Kerr’s System Perfectly
Murphy’s appeal goes beyond his gaudy numbers.
He is averaging career highs of 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals, while shooting 37.8 percent from three-point range. More importantly, Murphy provides elite perimeter defense, positional versatility, and secondary playmaking — traits that align cleanly with Steve Kerr’s system and postseason demands.
In many ways, Murphy represents the two-way wing archetype the Warriors envisioned when they selected Kuminga seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Murphy is also locked in to a team-friendly four-year, $112 million contract.
With Murphy no longer attainable, Golden State’s internal calculus has shifted.
As a result, the Warriors are believed to be increasingly likely to pivot away from a major wing acquisition at the deadline — barring an unexpected shift in the market.
Jimmy Butler Injury Changes Kuminga Outlook
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GettyJimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors is looked at by teammates and trainers after he collided with Davion Mitchell of the Miami Heat and injured his knee.
The Warriors’ stance on Kuminga has also evolved following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
“Multiple team sources have described it as less likely Kuminga is moved following Butler’s right ACL tear,” Slater wrote.
Before Butler’s injury, Kuminga had fallen completely out of the rotation, failing to see the floor for 16 consecutive games. Without Butler, Kuminga returned to the mix, scoring 30 points in 30 minutes off the bench before suffering another setback.
Kuminga Injury, Trade Tension Still Loom
Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors
GettyJonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors sits on the end of the bench.
Kuminga’s return was short-lived. An MRI revealed a bone bruise stemming from a hyperextended knee and rolled ankle suffered in last week’s loss to Dallas.
Despite the injury, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Kuminga’s trade request remains unchanged, leaving Golden State navigating both a medical issue and unresolved roster tension.
Still, the Warriors are not inclined to rush into a deal.
“Kuminga’s salary is still very much available on the market and could be a needed puzzle piece if a larger-scale trade materializes,” Slater added. “His desire for a fresh start is known, but so is general manager Mike Dunleavy’s unwillingness to make what he views as a bad value deal just to acquiesce to Kuminga’s wishes.”
Warriors May Pivot Toward Offseason
With Murphy and Jones unavailable and the wing market thinning and Butler’s injury lowering the Warriors’ ceiling this season, their best path forward is to preserve their draft capital for a more impactful move in the offseason.
And that includes working with Kuminga to improve his trade value for the offseason.