The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly shopping Trey Murphy III and the latest buzz has them talking to the Atlanta Hawks about swapping the wing for the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That’s according to Jake Madison of the Locked on Pelicans Podcast, who said New Orleans has a specific prospect in mind and is pushing hard to get into the top 10.
“The Pelicans are listening because they want something or someone specific in return. This is a team that absolutely wants a top-10 pick in this draft, not just a first-round pick, but a top-10 pick,” Madison said on the podcast. “They clearly have a player that they are targeting. The Pelicans are definitely in discussions with multiple teams about trying to acquire a first-round pick.”
Madison added that a tip from a source led him to dig deeper and he eventually confirmed that New Orleans and Atlanta have had conversations centered on Murphy and the eighth overall selection. The Pelicans have not confirmed any of this publicly, but the rumor mill is spinning hard.
Why Atlanta Makes Sense
The Hawks have already made one move this offseason, sending two future second-round picks to Oklahoma City for guard Aaron Wiggins. That was a solid get. But adding Murphy would be a different kind of upgrade. The 25-year-old wing just put up career-high numbers in his fifth season — 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game — while shooting 47% from the field and 37.9% from deep. He’s a long, athletic defender who can create his own shot and knock down catch-and-shoot threes. That fits exactly what Atlanta needs alongside Trae Young and Jalen Johnson.
What New Orleans Might Be After
It’s not clear which prospect the Pelicans are zeroed in on. But they drafted Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears in 2025, so they’re looking to build a young core. Trading Murphy for another first-round pick would give them another piece to develop around those two. Murphy is still only 25, but he’s also heading into a contract year, so the front office might be weighing whether to pay him long-term or cash in now for a younger, cheaper asset.
The Hawks already proved they can make noise in the East. Adding Murphy could push them into a tier where they’re not just dangerous in the playoffs but a real threat to make a deep run. For the Pelicans, it’s about finding the right guy in the draft and resetting the timeline a little. Either way, this is a deal worth watching as draft night gets closer.
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