Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs could make yet another massive move around Victor Wembanyama if they decide De’Aaron Fox is not the ideal long-term fit, with a blockbuster trade proposal sending Fox to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Trey Murphy and Dejounte Murray.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes proposed a massive trade deal that would see the Spurs acquire Murray and Murphy, while the Pelicans get Fox, Kornet, and a collection of draft assets.
San Antonio Spurs Recieve: Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray
New Orleans Pelicans Recieve: De’Aaron Fox, Luke Kornet, 2027 Atlanta Hawks first-round pick, 2028 Boston Celtics first-round pick swap, 2030 San Antonio Spurs first-round pick, 2031 Sacramento Kings first-round pick swap, 2027 San Antonio Spurs second-round pick, 2028 New Orleans Pelicans second-round pick, 2029 New Orleans Pelicans second-round pick
Under Hughes’ proposal, the Spurs would receive Murphy and Murray, while the Pelicans would land Fox, Kornet, the Hawks’ 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 Boston Celtics first-round pick swap, a 2030 San Antonio Spurs first-round pick, a 2031 Sacramento Kings first-round pick swap, a 2027 San Antonio Spurs second-round pick, and the Pelicans’ own 2028 and 2029 second-round picks back.
It would be a new pivot for the Spurs after publicly maintaining confidence in Fox.
This Deal Could Create A Perfect Team For The Spurs
Fox averaged 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists last season while shooting 48.6% from the field and 32.2% from three-point range. His massive extension kicks in next season with a salary of approximately $49.4 million, and his fit next to the Spurs’ younger guards is debatable.
The Spurs now have Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper next to Wembanyama, which creates a question of whether committing close to $50 million to another ball-dominant guard is the best use of their resources.
Hughes did point out the Spurs’ performance with Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper, but without Fox, as part of the big reason for making this change. He thinks that moving Fox would clear the runway for the two young Spurs guards, which would allow the franchise to build a more naturally complementary roster around Victor Wembanyama.
And Murphy would be the centerpiece of that attraction, with the 26-year-old averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 47% from the field and 37% from three-point range last season.
His combination of size, shooting, and off-ball scoring would make him a perfect theoretical fit next to Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper.
Murphy is also on a relatively manageable contract. He is set to make $27 million next season, followed by $28 million in 2027-28 and $31 million in 2028-29 as part of his four-year, $112 million deal.
Getting New Orleans to trade Murphy would be rather difficult. The Pelicans have been reluctant to include Murphy in trade offers and have reportedly shot down potential negotiations involving three first-round picks.
And that would explain the massive draft capital portion of Hughes’ proposal.
Murray would also return to the franchise where his NBA career began. He averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists last season while shooting 48.4% from the field and 30.6% from three-point range.
His value has dropped since his move to the Pelicans after his Achilles injury, and he is seen as a negative asset. Murray is scheduled to make $32.7 million next season and holds a $30.7 million player option in the 2027-28 season.
But for the Spurs, Murray would not need to be the primary engine. He could function as a third guard next to Castle and Harper while providing playmaking, rebounding, and defense.
The Pelicans Get An All-Star Guard And Treasure Trove Of Picks
For the Pelicans, the motivation would be very different. Fox would immediately become the Pelicans’ veteran centerpiece and give them more creation from the PG position than Murray could provide.
His contract is definitely expensive, but if the Pelicans remain intent on competing rather than rebuilding, Fox provides All-Star-level upside. The Pelicans would also get Kornet, who averaged 6.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 64.3% from the field last season.
He is owed $10.4 million next season on a four-year, $47.7 million contract and could be the Pelicans’ answer for size, rebounding, and protection.
The real price would obviously be the draft compensation.
The Spurs would be surrendering multiple first-round picks without emptying their own cupboard. Only one outright pick in this proposal comes directly from the Spurs, while the Atlanta pick and the Kings and Celtics swaps would give the Pelicans exposure to other teams’ futures.
Even then, the Pelicans could demand more if Murphy’s asking price truly remains three first-round picks by himself. Absorbing Fox’s contract while giving up Murray could prompt the Pelicans to want a premium asset, and the Spurs definitely do have enough draft capital to make this deal work.
This Deal Could Create A Spurs Dynasty
It would unquestionably be a major move for the Spurs, but turning Fox into Murphy and Murray, and fully committing to Castle and Harper as Wembanyama’s long-term backcourt, could give the Spurs a roster with better size, shooting, and balance.
For the Pelicans, though, this gamble would be taking on Fox’s contract in exchange for a proven leading guard and a mountain of future draft capital.
It is only a hypothetical trade proposal, but it offers a rather interesting question for the Spurs: whether Fox is truly part of the championship future, or whether converting him into pieces that fit Wembanyama’s timeline could move the Spurs closer to contention.