The Los Angeles Lakers have pursued New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy for more than a year, viewing him as an ideal complement to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
At 26 years old and coming off consecutive seasons averaging at least 21 points, five rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 38.2 percent from three, Murphy brings the size, shooting, and two-way versatility the Lakers have lacked on the wing. His remaining contract, three years and $87 million, also makes him an attractive target for a franchise trying to stay competitive in the near term.
Los Angeles does not possess the deep collection of first-round picks that many rival suitors can offer. That reality has forced the front office to consider alternative paths built around young talent already on the roster.
According to reporting that draws on comments from Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the most realistic package centers on two unproven guards: Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr.
Thiero logged limited minutes as a rookie, while Carr, selected 36th overall in the 2026 draft, has yet to appear in an NBA game. Their limited track records mean they carry risk, yet both project as high-upside developmental pieces that a rebuilding Pelicans team could pair with its own young core of Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears.
Writer Svyatoslav Rovenchuk of LakeShowLife.com connected Buha’s remarks to the broader trade conversation, noting that the Lakers’ patience with Thiero and Carr will be tested whenever a legitimate starter or star becomes available.
Buha himself indicated he would be willing to include both prospects in a deal for Murphy, prioritizing the wing’s immediate production and fit over retaining developmental inventory.
Third-year guard Dalton Knecht has also surfaced in related speculation, but Thiero and Carr are widely viewed as carrying greater long-term appeal for New Orleans.
The timing may finally favor a transaction. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale recently argued that Murphy’s value is at its peak and that the Pelicans’ organizational direction appears increasingly unsettled.
With Zion Williamson entering the final guaranteed year of his deal and the franchise’s blueprint remaining unclear, New Orleans could decide to cash in on Murphy while his stock remains high.
A package headlined by Thiero, Carr, a first-round selection, and additional assets would represent a departure from previous Lakers offers and could finally bridge the gap between the two sides.
Whether the Lakers ultimately pull the trigger remains uncertain. Their limited draft capital continues to constrain options, and any deal would require New Orleans to value potential over proven production. Still, Murphy’s skill set, age, and contract align closely with the window Los Angeles is trying to exploit.
For a team searching for a missing piece alongside Doncic and Reaves, the combination of two young prospects and whatever remaining assets can be assembled may prove to be the only viable route to landing a longtime target.
