NBA trade rumors focus on Trey Murphy, Anthony Davis and Lakers salary moves
The trade market remains active with the Pelicans' Trey Murphy attracting interest, the Warriors facing hurdles to acquire Anthony Davis, and the Lakers exploring salary-dump options ahead of the new season.
Trey Murphy, a three-year, $87 million forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, has been linked to several potential deals after six months of speculation. The Pelicans reportedly seek a package comparable to a "Desmond Bane-type" offer—four draft picks—though some executives believe three picks could suffice. A Western Conference executive noted, "The numbers are better on Trey, and the contract is better (three years, $87 million)."
Los Angeles Lakers officials confirmed that the team cannot execute a sign-and-trade involving LeBron James or Rui Hachimura because the franchise renounced the players' rights to complete recent signings. By contrast, the Atlanta Hawks retained Jonathan Kuminga’s rights, preserving their ability to use a sign-and-trade.
To stay under the salary cap, the Lakers may need to offload additional contracts. Options include cutting ties with forward Jarred Vanderbilt and stretching his cap hit, or finding a salary-dump partner for Dalton Knecht. The Lakers recently acquired two second-round picks from Washington in exchange for Deandre Ayton, which could be attached to a Vanderbilt trade that carries a $12 million salary next season and a $13 million player option for 2027-28.
In Washington, the Wizards continue to hold Anthony Davis, who carries a two-year, $121 million contract with a player option. The team has not indicated an immediate willingness to trade him, though the addition of Deandre Ayton may eventually shift their stance. The Warriors, who have expressed interest, face two immediate obstacles: the Wizards’ reluctance to move Davis and the Warriors’ commitment to Jimmy Butler, who has been told he will not be traded.
Other notable moves include the Celtics acquiring a 2028 first-round pick (potentially a swap), a 2031 unprotected first-rounder and two second-round picks from Philadelphia in the Jaylen Brown trade, and the Miami Heat receiving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee in exchange for multiple young players and future draft assets.
The trade market also features discussions around several other players, such as the Cavaliers’ interest in veteran depth pieces, the Pelicans’ potential sale of Zion Williamson, and the Mavericks’ consideration of salary-dump deals for players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht.