The New York Knicks are firmly focused on making a push for the 2025 NBA Finals, and recent reports suggest they are exploring potential trades to acquire a promising talent with All-Star potential. This indicates that the Knicks are intent on bolstering their roster to increase their championship chances, possibly by bringing in a rising star who can complement their current core and help elevate the team to title contention.
Knicks may have outside shot to trade for Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III
According to SNY’s Ian Begley (via Yahoo Sports), the New York Knicks have been identified as a potential trade partner with the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal for Trey Murphy III, a talented wing with All-Star potential. In a Q&A session with his audience, Begley addressed the feasibility of such a trade, particularly one involving Mitchell Robinson or Miles McBride in exchange for Murphy.
Begley noted that the Pelicans hold Murphy III in high regard and view him as a crucial part of their future. “It would be surprising to see New Orleans move Murphy III for a package involving Mitchell Robinson,” he said, clarifying that while Robinson is an elite talent with significant value when healthy, it’s unlikely the Pelicans would trade Murphy, especially given Robinson’s recovery from surgery. Begley emphasized Murphy’s talent and team-friendly contract as key reasons the Pelicans would be reluctant to part with him, suggesting that while Robinson could have a strong market elsewhere, it likely wouldn’t bring back a player of Murphy III’s caliber.
Murphy III is the prototypical role player in today’s NBA
Trey Murphy III is a standout 6’8″ three-point shooter with an impressive range, capable of catching and shooting from as far as 30 feet. In addition to his shooting prowess, he can handle the ball, pull up from deep, and boasts elite leaping ability. As a 2023 Slam Dunk Contest participant, Murphy would provide the Knicks with a high-energy, intelligent sharpshooter who could enhance their fast break as a reliable trailer and finisher at the rim. He had a breakout season in 2023-24, averaging 14.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while maintaining a career 39.2% shooting clip from three-point range.
However, acquiring Murphy would come with challenges. While Mitchell Robinson’s ability to dominate offensive boards and his elite defensive presence are attractive, his injury history poses a significant concern for any team, particularly the New Orleans Pelicans, who already face consistent injury challenges with star forward Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans, having traded Jonas Valančiūnas to the Washington Wizards this offseason and no longer having Jaxson Hayes in the rotation, do have a need for a strong center. Adding a player like Robinson, who has the potential to lead the league in offensive rebounds, could bolster a frontcourt depth chart that currently includes Yves Missi, Daniel Theis, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Trey Jemison. However, Robinson’s injury track record might make New Orleans hesitant to part with a young and rising talent like Murphy III.
How the Knicks could make the dollars and cents work for a Murphy III trade
Financially, both Trey Murphy III and Mitchell Robinson have two years remaining on their contracts, but Robinson is set to earn around $27.2 million, significantly more than Murphy’s $12.4 million over the same period. While including Miles McBride in a trade—who is owed $13 million over the next three seasons—might align better with the Pelicans’ needs at another position, Ian Begley has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of this deal happening. He emphasized New Orleans’ reluctance to part with Murphy, a versatile three-position talent, especially for a package centered around Robinson, who has an injury history.
However, despite these challenges, the Knicks have other assets that could come into play, such as draft capital and young players. Team president Leon Rose is known for making strategic moves that improve the Knicks’ championship prospects, so while the odds might seem slim, the possibility of an upgrade involving a player like Murphy III can’t be entirely ruled out.
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