Pelicans
The Trey Murphy III rumors aren’t going away.
Appearing on KNBR in San Francisco before the draft, The Athletic’s Sam Amick suggested there is still significant trade chatter surrounding the Pelicans forward.
“There is definitely a bunch of Trey Murphy noise,” Amick said. “It seems pretty clear that he has also signaled a desire to play elsewhere.”
According to Amick, the Nets and Clippers were among the teams viewed as being near the front of the line, though he added that Murphy’s list of suitors appears extensive. He also mentioned the Pistons and Celtics as potential landing spots.
Nothing materialized during the first round of the draft, but Murphy remains one of the league’s more intriguing trade candidates.
The 26-year-old averaged more than 21 points per game for a second straight season and has developed into one of the NBA’s better two-way wings. The Pelicans are believed to be seeking multiple first-round picks in any potential deal.
Lakers
In case you missed it, Austin Reaves is staying put.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Reaves plans to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to remain with the Lakers.
The deal reportedly includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and will become the richest contract ever signed by an undrafted player.
Reaves declined a $14.9 million player option in order to complete the new agreement.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker,” Lakers president Rob Pelinka said earlier this offseason. “We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the Purple and Gold.”
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season despite appearing in just 51 games because of injuries.
Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards apparently has some influence when it comes to Minnesota’s roster-building plans.
According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, Timberwolves president Tim Connelly revealed that Edwards has pushed back on some trade ideas because he didn’t like what the organization would have to surrender in return.
Krawczynski also reported that Minnesota’s reluctance to part with Jaden McDaniels played a role in why the Timberwolves never emerged as a serious threat to land Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks reportedly wanted McDaniels included in any package.
Minnesota ultimately pivoted elsewhere and remains focused on building around Edwards, McDaniels, Naz Reid and the rest of its core after another deep playoff run.
Meanwhile, team sources told The Athletic that one prospect the Wolves liked in the draft was Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr., who ultimately came off the board before Minnesota had a chance to make a move back into the first round.
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