The New Orleans Pelicans are emerging as a potential trade partner for the Golden State Warriors, particularly after reports of the franchise's interest in young center Yves Missi.
The Warriors' interest in Missi has renewed speculation of whether they could also land Trey Murphy III, having been linked to the talented wing at multiple points over the last 18 months. The reality is there are a range of different trade packages that could be explored between the two teams, and the most ideal one from a Warriors perspective may not even include Murphy.
Warriors' ideal Yves Missi trade may not include Trey Murphy III
There's an obvious package of Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody and draft picks that Golden State could put together and offer for Murphy and Missi. The issue with that is finding a common ground on what and how many picks are involved, along with the idea of sacrificing a talented young wing in Moody right as his value is at its lowest while recovering from injury.
The better move for the Warriors, based on both their needs and the cost, would be to simply package Porzingis and pick/s for Missi and veteran wing Herb Jones. In the same report linking Missi to Golden State on Wednesday, Pelicans insider Shamit Dua outlined that multiple teams are monitoring Jones as his minutes decrease to open the season.
Multiple league sources indicate teams are monitoring Jones' situation and could pursue him if the Pelicans asking price (of two first-round picks) changes," Dua wrote.
The combined salaries of Jones and Missi nestle perfectly under Porzingis' $20 million salary, though the former does have a three-year, $67.6 million ($22.5 million average) extension kicking in from next season.
Herb Jones might be a better fit than Trey Murphy III
Even with that extension, Jones would still be a worthwhile target for the Warriors and arguably one that's better than Murphy when you consider cost and overall value. With Stephen Curry and Yaxel Lendeborg, and Jimmy Butler returning mid-season, do Golden State really need another offensive option like Murphy who might be the fourth guy come playoff time?
The investment may be better placed in a point-of-attack defender in Jones who can give Golden State a genuine stopper on the other end of the floor. The Warriors distinctively lack such a player and rank 27th in defensive rating so far this season, albeit it's a limited sample size.
Combine this with being able to keep Moody and the price likely being less from a draft capital standpoint, and there's a genuine argument for Jones over Murphy as the additional (and arguably main piece) to a Missi trade.
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