The San Antonio Spurs are among the teams showing strong interest in New Orleans Pelicans swingman Trey Murphy IIIÂ as trade talks loom ahead of the 2025-26 season.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of “The Stein Line,” the 25-year-old forward has drawn attention from both the Golden State Warriors and the Spurs.
âSources say that the Warriors have a strong affinity for Murphy and have made outreach to New Orleans as recently as this summer,â Fischer reported. âYet sources say that the Pelicans, to be clear, have batted away calls for the 25-year-old, valuing him highly. The two-way forward will be playing on a contract in 2025-26 â at precisely $25 million â as desirable as his talent. Another team known to have registered trade interest in Murphy, sources say, is San Antonio.â
Murphy, a 6-foot-8 wing, signed a four-year, $112 million extension with the Pelicans, making him a cost-controlled asset with star potential. He combines perimeter shooting, defensive versatility, and the ability to create his own shotâqualities that make him appealing to teams like San Antonio looking to accelerate their competitive timeline.
Potential Fit With Spursâ Young Core
Getty Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors.
San Antonioâs roster features promising backcourt talent in DeâAaron Fox, this year’s No. 2 pick Dylan Harper and last season’s Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, yet the group lacks a consistent outside shooter. Murphyâs career 38.3% three-point mark would help space the floor, giving the Spursâ guards and versatile forward Jeremy Sochan more room to operate. His length and defensive acumen would also complement All-Star center Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt, allowing the Spurs to switch effectively on defense and protect the rim while maintaining spacing on offense.
After signing his multi-year extension, Murphy showcased his growth last season, boosting scoring from 14.8 points per game on 44.3% shooting to 21.2 points per game on 45.4% efficiency while connecting on 36.1% of his three-pointers. He also improved defensively, demonstrating the two-way capability that Spurs management covets in a potential roster upgrade.
Draft Assets Give Spurs Flexibility
Getty Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama can potentially pair up to make the Spurs an instant title favorite.
San Antonio is in a strong position to make a move if Murphy becomes available, thanks to a stockpile of draft assets. The Spurs hold at least eight first-round picks over the next five years (2025-2029), including their own selections in 2025, 2027, and 2028, plus picks from Atlanta (2025), Dallas and Minnesota (2026, 2027, 2030), Cleveland (2029), and potentially Brooklyn and Toronto.
Even if the Spurs trade for Murphy, they would still retain sufficient draft capital to pursue a marquee star such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, maintaining flexibility while bolstering the wing. Murphyâs length, shooting, and defensive prowess would help stabilize the Spursâ perimeter defense, complement Wembanyamaâs inside game, and provide a floor-spacing threat alongside their young core.
While the Pelicans have been reluctant to part with Murphy, interest from multiple teamsâincluding San Antonioâsuggests trade discussions could intensify as the season approaches. If acquired, Murphy would give the Spurs a two-way forward capable of contributing immediately on both ends while aiding the development of their next generation of stars.
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