Injuries derailed the Oklahoma City Thunder’s title defense last season, and they threaten to do the same to their revenge tour.
A brutal week of injuries has sidelined three key starters for the Thunder — Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren — prompting calls for immediate roster reinforcements. One potential trade target is New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, currently in the second year of a four-year, $112M deal.
Thunder Trade Target: Trey Murphy?
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Thunder may target either Herbert Jones or Trey Murphy to fill the void left by Williams, Wallace and Holmgren.
“If [Sam] Presti does elect to pursue a deal, multiple executives identified the New Orleans Pelicans as a potential trade partner with defensive stopper Herb Jones or 3-and-D wing Trey Murphy III as possible targets,” MacMahon reported.
“The Pelicans have set a high asking price for Murphy in recent transaction cycles, making it clear that multiple first-round picks would need to be involved to pique their interest, according to league sources.
“Presti has a deep war chest of future first-round picks, but that has been true for years. He never engaged in discussions for that type of blockbuster deal while deliberately building this roster.”
Thunder Trade Idea Lands TMIII
A hypothetical Thunder trade idea doing the rounds would see the Pelicans receive veteran center Isaiah Hartenstein, Nikola Topic and a pair of first-round picks.
Thunder would receive: Trey Murphy III
Pelicans would receive: Isaiah Hartenstein, Nikola Topic, 2027 first-round pick (via DEN), 2027 first-round pick (via SAS)
It’s worth noting that the potential trade can’t go down until Dec. 15 since Hartenstein signed a three-year $75M extension this summer.
Why the Thunder Do It
The emergence of rookie center Aday Mara gives the Thunder the flexibility to consider trading Hartenstein. A center rotation featuring Mara, Jaylin Williams and second-year big Thomas Sorber should keep the defense afloat while Holmgren recovers, keeping him on track for a holiday return.
“The basketball fit for either Jones or Murphy is obvious after Oklahoma City lost two All-Defensive wings — months after sending All-Defensive wing Luguentz Dort to Atlanta in a cost-cutting move motivated primarily by the desire to create room in the starting lineup and budget for Wallace,” MacMahon wrote.
Why the Pelicans Do It
The Pelicans have reportedly placed a high price tag on Murphy, seeking multiple first-round picks for a player they deeply value. Under this proposed package, New Orleans receives two first-rounders, a proven starting center in Hartenstein and a high-upside prospect in Topic. While introducing Hartenstein could exacerbate a crowd in a frontcourt that already features Yves Missi, Derik Queen and Karlo Matkovic, the Pelicans shouldn’t have trouble rerouting him. Given his strong league-wide trade value, the German would command plenty of interest for future assets.
OKC Thunder Linked to Trey Murphy Trade Amid Injury Woes