Trey Murphy III, Lakers, Warriors, Lakers trade, NBA trade deadline
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Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after scoring a three point basket during the first quarter of an NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at Smoothie King Center on January 13, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly touched base with the New Orleans Pelicans about a possible trade for Trey Murphy III, joining the Golden State Warriors as a suitor for the sharpshooting wing.
The Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers are Murphy’s other suitors ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, per insider Evan Sidery.
“The Lakers, Pacers, Pistons, Spurs, Trail Blazers, and Warriors are among the teams who inquired with the Pelicans on Trey Murphy III during trade season,” Sidery reported on X. “For New Orleans to even consider dealing away Murphy, it would take a top-notch prospect along with three 1st-round picks.”
Lakers Trade Target: Trey Murphy III
As Sidery’s report noted, the Pelicans have set a very high asking price for Murphy, one of the NBA’s elite 3-and-D wings. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel noted recently that the Pelicans seek three unprotected first-round picks for Murphy, who’s averaging a career-high 21.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists at 48/37/90 shooting splits.
Insider Marc Stein also highlighted this week that the Pelicans seek a “Desmond Bane-type offer” for both Murphy and Herbert Jones, their two highly coveted wings. The Orlando Magic surrendered a stunning four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap to land Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies last offseason.
The Lakers can’t match that offer until the offseason, when they’ll be armed with three first-rounders, including their 2026 pick. Currently, the Lakers own only one tradeable first-round pick, but are hesitant to use it, per The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
Limited Lakers Trade Assets
“If we’re speaking in a technical sense, the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick is probably their most valuable trade asset,” Woike wrote earlier this month.
“However, trading that pick would lock the team’s ability to trade the 2031 pick now and the 2033 pick this summer. So, yeah, the 2032 pick probably isn’t going anywhere.”
Ultimately, the Lakers could be forced to settle for a move around the margins by using the expiring deals of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, not to mention Dalton Khnect as a sweetener, to try and make roster upgrades. One name who has recently jumped to the top of their wish list is Cleveland Cavaliers‘ De’Andre Hunter, who, per reports, could be available for the cheap due to his $24.9M salary next season.
“The Lakers are active in trade talks to try and get a 3-and-D wing, and De’Andre Hunter is certainly at the top of their list,” ClutchPoints reported on Wednesday.
Insider Jake Fischer noted that rival teams are hesitant to offer too much value for Hunter because of his injury history and declining production. Hunter is shooting a career-low 31% from three this season and has seen his minutes gradually decline. He began his first full season with the Cavs on a strong note, averaging 18.3 points in October and 17.1 minutes in November while logging 28.9 minutes a game. Those numbers dropped drastically in December, and his minutes have fallen to 22.4 since the start of the new year. Per beat writers covering the Cavs, Hunter has requested a trade.
Perhaps a fresh start with the Lakers could do wonders for Hunter. Incidentally, Rich Paul and LeBron James‘ camp are reportedly pushing for the Lakers to trade for him.