Pelicans Reportedly Willing to Hear Trade Offers for Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy
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New Orleans may be reconsidering the makeup of its roster after a 3-20 start. Multiple reports from the past two days indicate the Pelicans are now open to fielding inquiries on former No. 1 pick Zion Williamson and key rotation players Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III.
On Thursday, Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints wrote that Williamson is “increasingly unlikely” to fit into the franchise’s long-term plans. Despite that stance, Dodson noted the club has not held substantive trade discussions involving the forward, who is sidelined with an adductor strain. Williamson’s maximum-salary contract includes frequent weigh-ins and guarantees tied to games played, factors that, combined with his lengthy injury history, could give him negative trade value.
During a live Bleacher Report stream on the same day, NBA insider Jake Fischer said league executives expect New Orleans to “listen” on Williamson — and potentially on Jones and Murphy as well. Both wings are signed to what rival teams consider favorable long-term deals, each carrying an average annual value below $30 million, according to Fischer. He added that the Pelicans would likely demand multiple first-round picks for either player.
Fischer also suggested the organization, now led by interim head coach James Borrego, is shifting its focus toward 2025 lottery selections Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
On Friday, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that the likelihood of a Jones trade has “grown exponentially” in recent months. The defensive specialist inked an extension in July and cannot be moved until January 14, two and a half weeks before this season’s trade deadline.
Fischer is the first to claim New Orleans might consider offers for Murphy. Dodson previously indicated the 25-year-old wing is viewed internally as part of the team’s core. Murphy is in the opening season of a four-year, $112 million rookie-scale extension.
Despite the swirl of speculation, Will Guillory of The Athletic reported Friday that, per several sources, the Pelicans have yet to engage in trade talks involving Williamson, Jones or Murphy. Guillory emphasized that the team’s position could change as the deadline approaches.
Source: Hoops Rumors
