Before the LA Clippers traded away Kawhi Leonard, their name was in the rumors for Trey Murphy of the New Orleans Pelicans. Rightfully so, the 25-year-old is one of the league’s best rising young stars. But, following Leonard’s blockbuster, one would think that the Clippers are out of the race. It doesn’t make much sense to acquire Murphy, as landing him is a win-now move, and the Clippers clearly have all of their focus and attention tied to the future ahead.
However, according to Michael Scotto of ‘HoopsHype,’ the Clippers are one of five teams in the discussion for Murphy. The others? The Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, and Golden State Warriors, who each have the same motive for next season: a championship.
That’s not the Clippers, which helps explain why a trade for Murphy would not be wise for the front office to make.
Landing Trey Murphy would require the Clippers to trade away valuable assets
Given that Trey Murphy is fully developed and has been progressing year by year since entering the NBA in 2021, the New Orleans Pelicans will ask for a haul in return to part ways with him; he’s definitely not going to be a player that is dealt for cheap.
Additionally, the Pelicans will use Murphy’s 2025-26 averages of 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, shooting 47.0% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc as leverage to obtain more from interested suitors.
Regarding the LA Clippers, landing Murphy would almost certainly require the front office to sacrifice a chunk of the draft capital they’ve brought in from the trades of Ivica Zubac and Kawhi Leonard. Not just one, or two, but a handful of first-round picks will be the asking price from the Pelicans.
On top of that, the Clippers will most likely be forced to deal one, or a combination, of their young players in Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Cam Christie, or maybe even a rookie(outside of Keaton Wagler).
Letting go of so much for a player that is not someone the Clippers will necessarily build around, as Darius Garland has that spot taken care of, is not worth it.
So, when everything is taken into account, the Clippers should pull their name out of the race for Murphy and let everyone else who wants him have a bidding war.
That’s the better decision for the team's future, although having him in LA at the moment would be peak, showtime basketball the fans are desperately hungry for.
Add us as a preferred source on Google