Can the Warriors trade Kuminga for Murphy? ESPN reveals a three-team trade proposal: it requires adding three first-round picks

On January 8th Beijing time, the Hawks and Wizards finalized the Trae Young deal. As the trade deadline nears, further negotiations are anticipated. The Warriors have consistently targeted the Pelicans’ Murphy, and ESPN presented a three-team trade plan where the Warriors can get Murphy by sending Kuminga plus three first-round picks (including one unprotected). The detailed proposal is as follows—

The Warriors receive: Hawkins, Murphy

The Pelicans receive: Kuminga, Moody, 2026 first-round pick (unprotected from Warriors), 2028 first-round pick (top 10 protected from Warriors), 2030 first-round pick (protected if pick falls between 5 and 20 from Warriors)

The Jazz receive: Looney, 2031 second-round pick (from Raptors), 2032 second-round pick (from Pelicans), cash considerations

Although the Warriors have been linked to multiple star players in trade rumors, considering the team's financial situation, acquiring Murphy is a smarter move. Murphy is currently in the first year of a four-year, $112 million extension, and his salary this season is less than half of Anthony Davis’s cap hit. This trade could even save the Warriors $25 million in luxury tax payments.

On the court, Murphy would add another feared shooter to the Warriors, complementing Curry on the perimeter. Murphy’s career three-point shooting percentage is 38%, and in recent seasons he has averaged three made threes per game. This season, Moody, who ranks second on the team in three-pointers made, averages only 2.1 per game. Technically, Murphy can defend on the wing for the Warriors, and when Green plays center, Murphy can shift to the power forward spot, keeping pace with the team’s defensive tempo.

Since the Pelicans are not in a rush to trade Murphy, the Warriors will have to pay a steep price to secure these advantages. The Warriors would give up as many as three of their four tradable first-round picks (one of which is unprotected). The Pelicans take on some risk: they might end up with only one first-round pick, but if the Warriors’ performance declines, they could receive up to three lottery picks.

Additionally, the Pelicans gain two talented young players. Kuminga’s playing style is likely to attract the Pelicans’ front office, while Moody can serve as Murphy’s replacement, filling the team’s need for outside shooting. The Pelicans would also offload Hawkins’s $7 million contract for the 2026-27 season; Hawkins is averaging just 4.5 points per game this season, making his contract a burden for the team.

The Jazz would act as the third party in the trade, using a trade exception to take on Looney. Looney is expected to become a rotation center for the Jazz for the remainder of the season. The Jazz would also receive two second-round picks and cash compensation.

This season, Murphy is averaging 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, with shooting splits of 49.5% from the field, 38.2% from three, and 90.8% from the free-throw line. Do you think Murphy is worth the Warriors’ investment? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.