Teams that are in the mix for Murphy to varying degrees now are the
Celtics, Pistons,
Warriors, Clippers, and
Hawks, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Celtics have monitored Murphy’s trade market, and following the Brown trade for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks, they have gained extra draft capital that New Orleans has desired in any trade talks. The Pistons have consistently circled the wagons on Murphy in trade talks, but felt the price was too high. With the asking price dropping from the equivalent of four to three first-round picks in any Murphy trade talks recently, will Detroit have more of an appetite to make a trade following the loss of Tobias Harris in free agency? Golden State’s interest in Murphy is to be determined with a LeBron James free agent pursuit in the air.The Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard and have more draft picks to pursue the 26-year-old Murphy, who’d fit the timeline of their current young core. Atlanta has always monitored the trade market on Murphy and other available players. The Hawks have several future first-round picks and tradeable contracts to dangle. After Brown and Leonard fetched two first-round picks in trades, some NBA executives believe that should be the ceiling for a Murphy trade. Others argue his valuable contract with three years and $87 million remaining of team control could help New Orleans net a third first-round pick.
HoopsHype
