Led by Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets are emerging as frontrunners to acquire Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Bovada’s latest odds showing Denver with a +500 chance of landing the promising wing. This potential trade opportunity has surfaced just as the Pelicans appear willing to overhaul their roster, signaling a major shift for the organization and sparking interest from several NBA teams.
Trey Murphy III, once considered untouchable by New Orleans, is now being evaluated for his market value. The 24-year-old wing, selected 17th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, has steadily developed into a reliable scoring option. During the 2024-25 season, Murphy posted career-high averages of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 45.4% from the field and 36.1% from beyond the arc, highlighting his rising offensive potential in his fourth NBA campaign.
The Nuggets face some challenges in pursuing Murphy, holding only one draft pick to offer in trade negotiations. Although they have young prospects and matching contracts to propose, their options remain limited. Murphy is entering the first year of a four-year rookie extension worth $112 million, with a $25 million salary for the upcoming season, making salary matching a critical factor in any deal.
Central to any trade package could be Michael Porter Jr., who is set to earn $38.3 million in the 2025-26 season. Despite this, Denver might need to include additional assets such as their sole draft pick or promising wing Christian Braun, who has demonstrated significant progression last season, for the Pelicans to seriously consider the offer. Balancing these moves against the Nuggets’ broader roster needs presents a difficult decision for the front office.
Insights from Paul Pierce on Potential Trade Moves Involving Porter Jr. and DeRozan
NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce has weighed in on Denver’s trade possibilities, recommending the team seek DeMar DeRozan as a key addition while moving Michael Porter Jr. Pierce believes DeRozan’s scoring ability would complement Jokic and relieve some pressure off the star center.
“I feel like if they had a DeMar DeRozan with that team right now, with Joker, he don’t need to be the best player or the second-best player every night,” Pierce said. “He is going to give you more than what Michael Porter Jr. gave you.”
—Paul Pierce, former NBA player
However, relying on DeRozan raises concerns beyond offense. His play style tends to reduce floor spacing, which conflicts with Denver’s need for improved three-point shooting. Additionally, Denver requires enhanced perimeter defense, an area where DeRozan struggles, limiting his overall fit. While Porter Jr.’s perceived value may have diminished, he remains a crucial trade asset that could fetch a more favorable return than DeRozan currently would.
Weighing the Nuggets’ Roster Priorities Against Potential Trades
Denver’s ambitions to strengthen the roster must contend with their need to maintain depth, particularly on the bench and in defensive roles at the guard position. Surrendering multiple key players or high-value picks for one player like Murphy could disrupt team balance and depth. The Nuggets are tasked with carefully evaluating whether such a significant trade would ultimately enhance their championship prospects or create new vulnerabilities.
As the Pelicans openly prepare to reset their roster, the Nuggets’ pursuit of Trey Murphy III demonstrates a cautious but ambitious effort to upgrade their wing scoring and spacing around Nikola Jokic. The coming weeks will likely reveal how aggressively Denver will push this trade forward and what compromises they are prepared to make to acquire one of New Orleans’ emerging stars.