​Despite weeks of persistent rumors, the New Orleans Pelicans have reiterated that they do not plan to trade Trey Murphy. While the organization’s stance has remained steady, there has been ongoing confusion about Murphy’s availability. A recent report from NBA insider Jake Fischer, known for The Stein Line and Bleacher Report, may offer some clarity, as he stated that the Pelicans would prefer to keep Murphy this offseason.
This has long been the prevailing thinking within the organization. Murphy’s potential suitors created a noisy trade market, with teams talking themselves into various scenarios. It’s possible New Orleans truly did ask for four first-round picks, because only an offer that caused the Pelicans to leap at the opportunity would have compelled them to pull the trigger. They could have traded him for a solid return months ago if they had wanted to.
There’s understandable frustration around the team due to perceived inaction this offseason, but selling Murphy merely to say something would be bad business. The 26-year-old emerged as the Pelicans’ best player last season and could very well be the best on this upcoming roster again. Murphy drew interest from some of the league’s top teams for good reason. He’s a 6-foot-8 wing who posted 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game last year, while shooting 47.0% from the field, 37.9% from three, and 88.6% from the free-throw line. Those three-point numbers came on an average of 8.6 attempts per game.
Additionally, Murphy is entering the second season of a very team-friendly contract, which makes a move without an extraordinary offer even harder to justify. As things stand, Murphy sits in a favorable middle ground between the veteran timeline and the younger core the Pelicans are trying to balance. Regardless of which path the franchise ends up choosing, Murphy’s presence should fit seamlessly with either plan and remain a valuable asset on the wing.
From a branding and SEO perspective, this storyline underscores Murphy’s status as a high-demand, high-value player who also represents a flexible asset for a team navigating a compete-now vs. rebuild-now dichotomy. The Pelicans appear content to retain Murphy for now, signaling that they believe his value and fit are too significant to trade away without a transformative return. If the organization holds steady, Murphy’s trajectory with New Orleans could be a central piece of their ongoing efforts to balance veteran leadership with a youthful, upside-driven core.