Warriors predicted to steal Lakers' $112 million trade target after Jonathan Kuminga deal

The Golden State Warriors get to decide how they approach the rest of the trade season. 

The franchise has already made a splash this season, trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis. That said, the Dubs have the assets to help another deal materialize if they choose to take that route. 

Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has a hunch that a last-second deal for a 25-year-old Los Angeles Lakers trade target could be in the cards for the Warriors. 

“If the (Kristaps) Porziņgis trade signals the end of Golden State's pursuit of Giannis (Antetokounmpo), as Marc Stein suggested it might, the Warriors could repurpose some of the assets they were going to include in that offer to go after a lesser star,” Bailey wrote Thursday.

“And though the New Orleans Pelicans have, at least publicly, seemed hesitant to move Trey Murphy III, Golden State can offer enough to test their resilience on that front.”

“Draymond Green's contract is two years shorter than Murphy's, so he provides a little cap flexibility. He might also generate some trade interest from contenders next season, so the return on this deal could have a cascading effect.”

“More important than getting Green, this package gives New Orleans a pick in the loaded 2026 draft the Pelicans infamously traded out of last summer. Even with Murphy on the books, there's no guarantee that pick wouldn't sneak into the lottery. And the 2028 and 2032 picks are more valuable than that. The further out they get, the more likely they'll convey after Stephen Curry's retirement.”

There’s a reason why Murphy is on the Lakers’ list of desired trade targets. The Virginia product has improved his game each season with the Pelicans and is a two-way wing that understands the value of producing on both ends. 

Murphy is averaging 21.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game in Year 5, shooting 47.1% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc. The young forward will only get better over time, making him a player teams will line up to acquire. 

The problem with Bailey’s trade concept is that he didn’t factor in the Pelicans’ reluctance to place Murphy on the trade block. New Orleans likes what it’s building with its young core, making the Warriors' chances of striking a deal for Murphy by 3 p.m. on Thursday.

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