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Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With the Golden State Warriors‘ chances of signing LeBron James looking slim at best, they have been linked to a trade pivot for one of the NBA’s top under-the-radar stars.
Heading into the summer, if James decided to move on from the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors were seen as a heavy favorite to acquire his services. However, since that became official, it seems like Golden State has started to slip behind teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers in the chase for the 22-time All-Star.
The Warriors must consider contingency plans if James passes on the opportunity to play with long-time pals Stephen Curry and Draymond Green next season. Well, Heavy’s Sean Deveney believes one specific player could quickly become Golden State’s top target if their pursuit of the four-time NBA MVP fails.
“If James winds up in Miami or Cleveland, the Warriors would be a clear potential partner for Trey Murphy III, which is likely why trade talks around him have been shelved for most of the month.”
– Sean Deveney
What a Trey Murphy trade would cost the Golden State Warriors
At the start of the offseason, the New Orleans Pelicans swingman’s name emerged in quite a few trade rumors. And Golden State was a team often linked to the 26-year-old. However, when James informed the Lakers he would not return for a ninth season, the future Hall of Famer became the focus of the Warriors and many other contenders’ offseason plans.
A pivot to a trade for Murphy would be a smart move by Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office. Not only could they acquire a player with legitimate All-Star potential after a pair of seasons with 21 points and five boards, but he is just entering the prime of his career. He could be a pillar of the Warriors roster in the post-Curry and Green era. However, he won’t come cheap. So what would it cost the Warriors to get a deal done?
To make the money side of a deal work, the Warriors would need to send New Orleans Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and De’Anthony Melton. The Pelicans would covet a young player like Podziemski back in a deal. But more than anything, they will want future first-round picks. Golden State will probably have to fork over their firsts in 2027, 2029, or 2030 to get a deal done.
It would be a high cost, but Murphy is a very talented player who could make a major impact for the Warriors for the short and long-term.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos