Lakers Rumors: Trey Murphy III Emerges as Ideal Trade Target to Strengthen Luka Doncic’s Supporting Cast

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the most aggressive teams in the NBA this offseason as they continue building around franchise superstar Luka Doncic.

After securing their future with one of basketball’s premier talents, the Lakers now face the challenge of assembling a roster capable of competing for an NBA championship. While much of the attention has focused on finding a starting-caliber center, another critical area of need remains wing depth.

Los Angeles could benefit significantly from adding a versatile two-way forward who can score at all three levels, defend multiple positions, and thrive alongside elite playmakers.

One player increasingly linked to the Lakers is Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The talented 25-year-old forward has quietly developed into one of the NBA’s most promising young wings, and some analysts believe he could become an ideal addition to a Lakers roster seeking more athleticism, shooting, and versatility.

Why Trey Murphy III Fits the Lakers’ Needs

The Lakers have spent years searching for complementary players who can maximize the strengths of their star talent.

Murphy checks many of the boxes modern NBA contenders prioritize.

Standing with excellent size, length, and athleticism, he has evolved into a dynamic scorer capable of contributing both on and off the ball. His ability to stretch defenses with consistent perimeter shooting makes him especially attractive in a lineup featuring a ball-dominant creator like Luka Doncic.

Murphy has also demonstrated the versatility required in today’s NBA, showing the ability to attack closeouts, finish in transition, and defend multiple positions.

Those qualities have elevated his value significantly over the past two seasons.

Interestingly, the Lakers have been familiar with Murphy long before he became an NBA standout. Prior to the 2021 NBA Draft, Los Angeles reportedly hosted Murphy for a pre-draft workout, indicating the organization recognized his potential early in the evaluation process.

Now, several years later, Murphy has developed into exactly the type of player the Lakers desperately need.

Murphy’s Breakout Season Raised His Value

The 2025-26 season represented a major breakthrough for Murphy.

After gradually earning a larger role within New Orleans’ rotation, he finally established himself as one of the team’s primary offensive weapons.

Murphy started a career-high 66 games and delivered the most productive season of his NBA career.

He averaged 21.5 points per game while continuing to showcase elite shooting efficiency from beyond the arc. For his career, Murphy has connected on 38.2% of his three-point attempts, making him one of the league’s most reliable perimeter threats.

Those numbers become even more valuable when considering how they would translate alongside a playmaker of Doncic’s caliber.

Few players in the NBA generate more open three-point opportunities for teammates than Doncic. Pairing him with an efficient high-volume shooter like Murphy could create one of the Western Conference’s most dangerous offensive combinations.

The fit appears natural on paper.

Murphy’s ability to move without the ball, space the floor, and finish scoring opportunities would complement Doncic’s playmaking brilliance perfectly.

Lakers Would Likely Need a Trade to Acquire Murphy

Unlike some potential free-agent targets, Murphy is not expected to become available on the open market anytime soon.

The former first-round pick recently signed a four-year contract extension worth approximately $112 million that runs through the 2028-29 season.

That agreement provides New Orleans with long-term control while also making Murphy one of the franchise’s most valuable assets.

His salary is projected to reach approximately $27 million next season, a figure that reflects both his production and long-term upside.

While the contract remains team-friendly given Murphy’s development trajectory, it complicates any potential Lakers pursuit.

To acquire Murphy, Los Angeles would almost certainly need to construct a significant trade package involving both salary matching and future assets.

Potential Trade Scenarios for Los Angeles

Several factors will determine whether a Murphy trade is realistic.

The Lakers face important offseason decisions regarding multiple key players, including LeBron James and Rui Hachimura.

Depending on how free agency unfolds, Los Angeles could explore sign-and-trade scenarios involving Hachimura while including additional contracts to satisfy salary requirements.

One frequently discussed possibility would involve Hachimura, defensive specialist Jarred Vanderbilt, and draft compensation heading to New Orleans.

Such a package would allow the Lakers to preserve flexibility for future roster moves while acquiring a player who fits their long-term vision.

However, negotiations would likely be challenging.

The Pelicans have consistently viewed Murphy as a core piece of their future and have previously shown little interest in moving him.

Unless New Orleans decides to significantly reshape its roster, prying Murphy away may require a substantial offer.

Could Trey Murphy Replace Austin Reaves?

Another interesting layer to the speculation involves Austin Reaves.

The talented Lakers guard is expected to seek a new contract, and while the organization values his contributions, negotiations could become complicated depending on market conditions.

If Los Angeles struggles to reach a long-term agreement with Reaves, Murphy could emerge as an attractive alternative.

Although the two players bring different skill sets, Murphy offers positional versatility and defensive upside that could help balance the roster around Doncic.

In many respects, Murphy projects as an ideal secondary scoring option.

He does not require high usage to remain effective, yet possesses enough offensive talent to shoulder a larger workload when necessary.

That flexibility is incredibly valuable when constructing a championship contender.

Why Murphy Could Thrive Alongside Luka Doncic

Perhaps the most compelling argument for acquiring Murphy is the impact Luka Doncic could have on his development.

Throughout his career, Doncic has elevated teammates by creating high-quality scoring opportunities and simplifying offensive responsibilities.

Murphy’s strengths align perfectly with that environment.

His elite catch-and-shoot ability would allow him to capitalize on the open looks Doncic routinely generates. His athleticism would make him a dangerous transition weapon, while his size would provide additional matchup advantages against smaller defenders.

Moreover, Murphy still appears to be improving.

At only 25 years old, he has not yet reached his prime, meaning the Lakers could potentially acquire a player whose best basketball remains ahead of him.

That combination of immediate production and long-term upside is rare.

Lakers Must Act Quickly If Murphy Becomes Available

The reality is simple: players with Murphy’s profile rarely become available.

Young, athletic wings who can score efficiently, defend multiple positions, and shoot nearly 40% from three-point range are among the most sought-after assets in the NBA.

If the Pelicans ever indicate a willingness to discuss trade possibilities, the market would become extremely competitive.

Several contenders around the league would likely enter the bidding immediately.

For the Lakers, waiting too long could prove costly.

As the organization enters a critical offseason focused on maximizing Luka Doncic’s championship window, Trey Murphy III stands out as one of the most intriguing trade targets available.

Whether Los Angeles ultimately lands the rising star remains uncertain.

But if the opportunity presents itself, Murphy could become the perfect two-way wing to help transform the Lakers into a legitimate title contender for years to come.