In a stunning twist that could have reshaped the Golden State Warriors’ future, new details have emerged about their aggressive pursuit of New Orleans Pelicans’ sharpshooting wing Trey Murphy III—before they shifted gears toward superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. This revelation, dropped like a bombshell by ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel on Tuesday, paints a picture of a near-miss trade that might have been the ultimate coup for the Bay Area franchise.
According to sources, the Warriors were ready to part ways with rising star Jonathan Kuminga, along with a 2026 first-round pick and a lightly protected 2028 first-rounder, in a bold bid to land the 25-year-old Murphy. But the Pelicans weren’t biting—not without a steeper price. Siegel reports that New Orleans viewed Golden State’s offer as laced with “undesirable assets,” demanding at least three unprotected first-round picks to even consider shipping out their versatile forward.
“If New Orleans was going to trade Murphy to Golden State, sources said it would have taken at least three unprotected picks to make up for what the Pelicans deemed ‘undesirable assets,'” Siegel wrote, underscoring the high-stakes haggling that ultimately fell through.
So, the million-dollar question: Should the Warriors have bitten the bullet and coughed up those three picks—say, their 2026, 2028, and 2030 firsts? Absolutely, and here’s why this missed opportunity stings even more in hindsight.
Why Trey Murphy III Is a Game-Changer Worth the Gamble
At 6’8″ with a silky smooth stroke and evolving all-around skills, Murphy isn’t just a role player—he’s a blueprint for the modern NBA wing. Shooting a scorching 38.0% from beyond the arc, he’s a floor-spacer who can attack closeouts, drive to the rim, and dish out dimes like a seasoned playmaker. Just look at his February explosion: averaging 29.5 points and 5.5 assists over four games, proving he’s not just a spot-up shooter but a dynamic offensive threat.
Imagine slotting him into the Warriors’ lineup alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Murphy’s length, shooting, and improving defense could have been the missing puzzle piece for a championship push in the 2026-27 season. And the cherry on top? He’s locked in on a team-friendly deal through 2028-29, giving Golden State flexibility to flip him later if their window closes unexpectedly—potentially recouping some of that draft capital.
The Harsh Reality: What the Warriors Got Instead—and Why It Falls Short
Fast-forward to now, and the Warriors’ decision to pivot has left them in a precarious spot. They traded Kuminga but ended up with Kristaps Porzingis, a talented but injury-prone big who’s set to hit free agency after this season. In theory, a sign-and-trade could keep him around, but that would hard-cap the team at the first apron, forcing painful moves like dumping Green’s contract just to stay compliant. And that’s assuming Porzingis even wants to re-sign or that another team bites on a deal for the oft-sidelined unicorn.
Golden State’s roster crunch only amplifies the regret. With Draymond Green as their only player under contract next season in that $12.6M to $56.7M salary sweet spot (assuming he opts into his $27.7M player option), upgrading via trade feels like a pipe dream. Trading Green—a franchise legend—to a rebuilding squad? It’d require convincing him to opt in just to ship him out, a move as cold as the Bay’s fog.
Without Murphy, the Warriors are staring down a “run it back” offseason, pinning hopes on re-signing Porzingis and De’Anthony Melton while praying for health and a Jimmy Butler resurgence. Even in a best-case scenario, they’d still be one elite wing short—a void Murphy could have filled perfectly.
The Bottom Line: A Missed Opportunity That Haunts the Dubs
Hindsight is 20/20, but this report exposes a golden chance the Warriors let slip away. Three unprotected picks for a young, ascending star like Murphy? It would’ve been a steal in the long run, injecting youth and versatility into a aging core while preserving trade ammo for the future. Instead, Golden State played it safe—and now they’re left wondering “what if” as their path to contention grows narrower.
In the cutthroat world of NBA trades, sometimes you have to go all-in to pull off a coup. The Warriors didn’t, and this bombshell just might be the regret that defines their offseason.