The Golden State Warriors’ decision to pass on Trey Murphy III in favor of Kristaps Porziņģis at the 2026 trade deadline is looking more and more like a missed opportunity with each passing week — especially now that we know exactly what it cost to get Porziņģis (Jonathan Kuminga + Buddy Hield).
Trey Murphy III
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, New Orleans would have demanded three unprotected first-round picks to part with Murphy — a steep price, but one that hindsight suggests the Warriors should have paid.
Why Trey Murphy III Would Have Been Worth It
At 25 years old, Murphy is a 6’8″ two-way wing with an elite skill set that fits the Warriors like a glove:
38.0% from three on high volume (career 37–39% range)Improved driving, finishing, and passing (5.5 APG in February sample)
29.5 PPG average in recent games — explosive scorer at all three levels
Elite contract: Under team control through 2028-29 at a very reasonable rate (~$15–18M per year range in coming seasons)
He’s young, durable, controllable, and immediately upgrades the Warriors’ wing defense, spacing, and secondary creation — all areas of need after losing Jimmy Butler (ACL tear) and with Stephen Curry sidelined (knee).
What the Warriors Got Instead — and Why It Falls Short
They sent Kuminga (23, high-upside athletic wing) and Hield (elite shooter, expiring) for Porziņģis — a 30-year-old big on an expiring $30.7M deal who:
Has played only 17 games this season (Achilles tendinitis + illness)Won’t debut until after the All-Star breakCarries significant injury risk (rarely plays 60+ games)Becomes a free agent this summer — no long-term control unless he re-signs
Even if Porziņģis returns healthy and thrives, the Warriors are left with:
No long-term asset at the wing (where Kuminga could have developed into a star)A likely cap crunch if they re-sign PorziņģisNo meaningful improvement in perimeter creation or defensive versatility
The Real Cost of Passing on Murphy
If the Warriors had been willing to offer three unprotected firsts (2026, 2028, 2030), they would have:
Locked in a 25-year-old two-way wing for four more years at a bargain rateKept Kuminga (or flipped him separately for additional value)Maintained long-term flexibility instead of betting on Porziņģis’ healthHad a realistic path to retool around Curry without mortgaging the future
Instead, they now face a summer where:
Porziņģis could walk in free agency (sign-and-trade possible but complicated)They lack the wing depth and versatility Murphy would have providedThe only realistic path to a major upgrade is another high-risk star chase (e.g., Kawhi Leonard rumors)
Bottom Line
Yes — the Warriors should have offered three unprotected firsts for Trey Murphy III.
He was the exact player they needed: young, controllable, two-way, elite shooter, and under contract long-term. Porziņģis is a gamble on health and short-term fit — Murphy was a sure thing for both now and the future.
Golden State had the assets. They chose caution and familiarity over aggression and youth. That choice is already looking like a mistake — and it could haunt them for years if Porziņģis doesn’t stay healthy and dominate post-break.
Warriors fans — do you agree they should have gone all-in for Murphy? Or was Porziņģis the smarter (if riskier) play? And what do you want to see this summer to fix the wing/forward depth? Let me know your thoughts below — the offseason is here, and every decision counts.