Spurs acquiring ideal trade target becomes more likely by the day

The San Antonio Spurs are off to their best start in years, reemerging as a potential playoff team. While they could contend this season, they may need to bring in some reinforcements to reach their full potential. That is where the New Orleans Pelicans could potentially come into play.

With the Pelicans' season heading nowhere fast, they may reconsider trading forward Trey Murphy III. Over last season and this season, he's combined to average 21 points and 5.4 rebounds and is shooting 36% from three on 8.2 3-point attempts per game.

Murphy III would instantly be a top trade target among contenders, and the Spurs should be among the teams interested. Murphy is a talented defensive player who has made major strides on offense, developing into a 20-point-per-game scorer by becoming a high-volume 3-point shooter.

He'd cost a pretty penny—maybe not a penny since they're being discontinued, but you know what I mean. Almost no matter the cost, the Spurs should be willing to pay it if it makes it significantly better.

The Spurs must trade for Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III

Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Atlanta's 2027 unprotected first, and a 2029 first for Murphy III would be a likely starting point of a potential trade. There would likely be haggling over the likes of Carter Bryant. However, the Spurs could instead include the Kings' 2031 pick swap in place of Bryant and the 2029 first, with the Sacramento pick being an almost surefire lottery pick.

That would be a steep price to pay for the Spurs but could make them significantly better. A starting lineup of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Murphy III, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama would be the team's new, supercharged starting five. Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Luke Kornet would make up the second unit, giving them more spacing and scoring off the bench.

Replacing two fan favorites—albeit non-shooting threats—makes a lot of sense on paper and could help boost their offense. Defensively, Murphy has the size and length to be a terrific defender on a playoff team, especially with Wembanyama having his back.

The Spurs would likely have interest in Murphy, though they may want to see just how well this team can play with all of their pieces back. They don't have to make a decision now, particularly with him not officially available.

But, if the Pelicans continue to struggle and the Spurs are merely good and not great, it may force San Antonio to consider their trade options, with Murphy likely on that list.