Mock Trade Sends Lakers' $84 Million Trio to Pelicans for Trey Murphy III

A mock trade has the Los Angeles Lakers sending three players to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Trey Murphy III.

by Nathaniel Holloway

Sep 16, 2026

A mock trade has the Los Angeles Lakers sending three players to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Trey Murphy III.

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It has been a busy offseason thus far for the Los Angeles Lakers as they have made multiple moves to upgrade their roster around Luka Doncic as they transition from the LeBron James era.

Los Angeles began their offseason by re-signing Austin Reaves, locking in Doncic’s backcourt counterpart for the next four seasons.

The Lakers then acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade and signed Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Matisse Thybulle in free agency.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15)

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Of course, the Lakers also had some key departures as James, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes left in free agency while Los Angeles traded Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards.

Despite this, the Lakers are hoping their new additions can help them compete near the top of the Western Conference this upcoming season, though they may look to make another splash via trade before the season begins.

If they choose to do so, one player they could target is New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.

Mock Trade Has Lakers Landing Trey Murphy III From Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25)

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In a potential trade, the Lakers could send a package of Jared Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy and multiple first-round picks to the Pelicans in exchange for Murphy III.

By making this trade, Los Angeles would add another key young player to their roster who has shown flashes of being a potential NBA star.

Murphy III would provide the Lakers with a 3-and-D wing, which they are in desperate need of following Hachimura’s departure, to complement Doncic and Reaves in the starting lineup.

Last season, the 26-year-old forward averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 47.0% from the field and 37.9% from three.

He is a reliable scorer who could take another offensive leap with most defenses focusing on the Lakers’ star backcourt duo, while also giving Los Angeles a key defensive wing who could help them improve a unit that finished 20th in defensive rating last season.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25)

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While this trade could work out well for the Lakers, Murphy III’s injury history could cause them to look elsewhere as he has played in more than 65 games just twice over his five-year NBA career.

The Pelicans may also want more in return for their rising star as they have reportedly had a high asking price for him over the past few seasons in trade talks.