The Golden State Warriors were among the most aggressive teams pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo before the February 5 trade deadline. Antetokounmpo was the dream target, but the Warriors remained uncertain whether the Milwaukee Bucks were serious about moving him at this deadline. Ultimately, they weren’t. The Warriors had other options they were exploring simultaneously, including a focused search for impact wings on the trade market.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Warriors were monitoring Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans as a potential target. The 25-year-old forward is averaging 22.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists this season while shooting 55.4% from the field. He represents exactly the type of two-way wing Golden State has needed.
The two teams held multiple discussions. But according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, those talks never gained serious traction because of how differently the organizations valued the players involved.
Warriors Offered Kuminga, Two Picks for Murphy
GettyTrey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Golden State was prepared to offer a package centered around Jonathan Kuminga, an unprotected 2026 first-round pick, and a lightly protected 2028 first-rounder, per Siegel’s reporting.
In the eyes of the Warriors, that package represented significant value. Kuminga is a former top-10 pick who has shown flashes of becoming a high-level player. An unprotected first-round pick carries tremendous trade value, particularly from a Warriors team that could fall out of playoff contention in future seasons. Adding a second protected pick sweetened the offer further.
New Orleans held some interest in Kuminga. But league sources indicated the Pelicans did not view him as a foundational piece for their future. That assessment proved critical in why negotiations stalled.
The Pelicans never budged on Murphy throughout the process. They view him as a potential multi-time All-Star and believe he’s a core piece of their long-term plans. Moving him would require overwhelming compensation that made the trade undeniably worthwhile.
Pelicans Wanted Three Unprotected Picks
If New Orleans was going to consider trading Murphy to Golden State, it would have required at least three unprotected first-round picks to offset what the Pelicans deemed “undesirable assets” in the Warriors’ offer, according to Siegel.
That price point explains why no deal materialized. The Warriors were unwilling to surrender three unprotected picks for Murphy, regardless of how badly they wanted to upgrade at the wing position.
The Pelicans’ valuation of Murphy also reflects how inflated the wing market became at the deadline. Teams around the league were desperate for two-way wings, and the lack of available talent drove up prices dramatically. New Orleans recognized they could hold firm on their asking price because they weren’t under pressure to move Murphy.
Warriors Pivot to Porzingis Trade
GettyThe Golden State Warriors acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks.
With the Murphy pursuit dead, Golden State eventually traded Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.
According to ClutchPoints, the Warriors were always prepared to move on from Kuminga. The organization didn’t want his contract situation to linger any longer than necessary, particularly with the deadline approaching and trade options available.
The Porzingis deal addressed Golden State’s need for size and interior presence, though it didn’t solve the wing problem Murphy would have addressed. Porzingis brings scoring, rebounding, and rim protection when healthy, but his injury history creates uncertainty about his availability.
The failed Murphy pursuit reveals how difficult it is for teams to acquire impact wings in the current NBA. The Pelicans held leverage because they weren’t motivated sellers, and they used that leverage to demand a price the Warriors front office didn’t want to pay.
Golden State got creative by pivoting to Porzingis, but the Murphy deal represents the player they reportedly wanted. The gap between the Warriors’ offer and New Orleans’ asking price proved too wide to bridge, leaving both teams exactly where they started when deadline discussions began.
Warriors Get Blunt Trey Murphy III Trade Update After Deadline