Pelicans set trade asking prices for Murphy and Jones

The New Orleans Pelicans have set clear asking prices for wing players Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones as trade interest persists across the league, according to NBA insider Marc Stein speaking on the All NBA Podcast. The franchise is reportedly seeking multiple first-round draft picks for each player, valuing Murphy at three first-rounders and Jones at two. This valuation comes as the Pelicans grapple with a winless start to the regular season, dropping their first four games.

Trade Valuations and Asking Prices for Murphy and Jones

Trade discussions surrounding the two versatile wings have circulated for over a year, and New Orleans has maintained its demand for draft capital in exchange for both players. Stein reported that the Pelicans’ firm price stands at three first-round draft picks for Trey Murphy and two first-round picks for Herbert Jones.

Oklahoma City Thunder Emerge as Potential Suitor

Among the interested parties, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been highlighted as a logical trade partner. Stein noted that Jones’ name frequently surfaces as a target for contending rosters, stating that “other teams want Jones already for ages from the Pelicans.” The Thunder possess a surplus of future draft assets, making them uniquely positioned to meet the multi-pick demands set by the New Orleans front office if management decides to pivot toward a roster reconfiguration.

Early Season Struggles and Reduced Roles

The trade speculation unfolds against a turbulent backdrop for the team on the court. The Pelicans opened the season with four consecutive losses, though three of those defeats came by margins of six points or fewer against the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Denver Nuggets. In individual performances, Murphy recorded six points and one rebound across 30 minutes in a 104-91 loss to Denver, following a 26-point outing with four three-pointers in an overtime defeat to the same opponent. Murphy is currently averaging 13 points per game while playing reduced minutes compared to previous campaigns where he surpassed the 21-point threshold. Meanwhile, Jones has transitioned primarily to a bench role under head coach Willie Green, seeing fewer than 20 minutes of floor time per contest for the first time in his professional career.