Warriors Should Think Twice Before Trading No. 11 Pick for Trey Murphy III

The Golden State Warriors enter the 2026 offseason facing one of the most challenging periods of the Stephen Curry era. Injuries, roster instability, and a disappointing finish to the 2025-26 season left the franchise outside the playoff picture and searching for answers heading into the NBA Draft.

Despite adding experienced veterans such as Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, Golden State struggled to overcome significant setbacks throughout the year. The team finished with a 37-45 record before falling to the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In Tournament, ending any hopes of a postseason run.

The Warriors’ situation became even more complicated because of injuries to key contributors. Jimmy Butler is expected to miss most or all of the upcoming season while recovering from a torn ACL, while Moses Moody faces a lengthy rehabilitation process after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon. Those absences have left Golden State with limited depth and increased uncertainty.

As draft night approaches, speculation has intensified regarding a potential trade for Trey Murphy III. The New Orleans Pelicans forward is widely viewed as one of the league’s most valuable young wings, but acquiring him would likely require the Warriors to part with significant draft capital and young talent. Whether that price is worth paying remains a major question.

1. The Cost May Be Too High

There is little debate about Murphy’s value around the league. At 6-foot-9 with strong shooting ability, defensive versatility, and proven scoring production, he fits seamlessly into almost any roster construction. Players with that combination of skills are highly sought after throughout the NBA. Because of that value, the Pelicans reportedly continue to demand a substantial return in any trade discussions involving Murphy. Such a package could include multiple first-round picks, young players, or a combination of both. For a team in Golden State’s position, that represents a significant investment. The concern is that the Warriors are not currently one player away from championship contention. Unlike teams with established depth and healthy rosters, Golden State faces several questions regarding both its present competitiveness and long-term outlook. Sacrificing major assets for a single player could create new problems while solving only one. History provides several examples of teams that weakened their overall roster by focusing too heavily on acquiring a marquee name. In many cases, the immediate upgrade came at the expense of depth, flexibility, and future growth. The Warriors must carefully evaluate whether Murphy’s addition would truly justify the resources required to acquire him.

2. Depth Remains a Bigger Priority

One of Golden State’s primary challenges entering next season is the lack of reliable depth throughout the roster. Injuries exposed weaknesses across multiple positions, and the team often struggled to maintain consistency whenever key players were unavailable. Adding Murphy would undoubtedly increase the team’s talent level. His scoring, shooting efficiency, and ability to defend multiple positions would help raise the Warriors’ ceiling. However, if acquiring him requires surrendering multiple assets, the overall roster could become even thinner. Recent championship teams have shown the importance of having a deep and balanced rotation. The New York Knicks’ title run demonstrated how valuable complementary contributors can be, while other contenders succeeded because they could rely on multiple players throughout the season and playoffs. Golden State currently lacks that luxury. The Warriors need additional contributors capable of filling various roles rather than concentrating resources on one acquisition. Maintaining roster flexibility may ultimately provide a stronger path toward competitiveness than making an aggressive move for a single player.

3. Protecting the Post-Curry Future

Beyond the immediate roster concerns, the Warriors must also consider their long-term future. Curry remains one of the NBA’s elite players, but at 38 years old, the organization understands that his playing career is entering its final stages. Although Curry continues to perform at a high level, age inevitably changes how teams must manage veteran stars. Increased rest, injury management, and workload concerns become more significant with each passing season. Golden State cannot afford to ignore those realities while constructing its roster. One of the franchise’s greatest strengths is that it still controls most of its future first-round draft picks. Those selections represent valuable opportunities to add young talent and potentially identify the next foundational player for the organization. Trading away multiple picks would reduce that flexibility. The Warriors have spent years attempting to develop a successor capable of carrying the franchise into its next era. Some previous efforts failed to produce the desired results, making future draft opportunities even more important. Holding onto premium assets gives the organization a better chance to discover the next cornerstone once Curry eventually retires.