SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Warriors enter September without resolution on Jonathan Kuminga’s contract. Golden State has offered $45 million over two years. Kuminga and his team have rejected those terms. Their demand remains firm, creating an impasse that clouds the team’s roster strategy. They are big-game hunting however there are glaring challenges. Even if Kuminga were locked into a deal at $20 million annually, constructing trade offers would be difficult. Matching salaries for stars like LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo would gut the roster. The Warriors need a different path. That path may involve league-wide ‘secret’, Trey Murphy III.
Warriors Blocked In Attempts To Sign Elite Shooting Wing
The Pelicans’ Refusal
One name has surfaced repeatedly: Murphy III. According to Jake Fischer — “the People’s Insider,” via the Stein Line newsletter — Golden State has made inquiries. The front office views Murphy as a more realistic option compared to headline-grabbing stars.
Yet New Orleans has rebuffed every call. The Pelicans have no interest in moving Murphy, who has become essential to their core. At 25, he is entering the prime of his career, locked into a $25 million salary for 2025-26. That contract is as attractive as his skill set.
The Warriors’ pursuit of Warriors Trey Murphy III has, so far, gone nowhere.
Why Murphy Fits
Murphy’s appeal is obvious. He is a career 38 percent shooter from deep. His length and defensive instincts give him two-way versatility. Slotting him next to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green feels seamless.
He averaged 21.2 points and 3.5 assists last season, thriving in a Pelicans rotation gutted by injuries. At times, he functioned as a primary offensive option. That growth has only increased his value.
The Warriors, who finished middle of the pack in three-point shooting last season, know what they lack. Beyond Curry, the roster has few proven marksmen. That scarcity explains their unwillingness to include Buddy Hield or Moses Moody in trade talks.
A Stalled Market
For Golden State, the stalemate is frustrating. The franchise sees Murphy as the ideal bridge between its aging stars and younger contributors. But with the Pelicans determined to keep him, the Warriors must decide whether to increase their offer for Kuminga or pursue other targets.
The Warriors’ chase for Trey Murphy III underscores the team’s larger challenge. Golden State wants to remain competitive without sacrificing depth. Yet without more shooting, the roster looks incomplete.
What Comes Next For the Warriors and Trey Murphy III
The calendar is closing in on training camp. Kuminga’s future remains unresolved. The Pelicans are standing firm on Murphy. And the Warriors are left waiting.
For now, the pursuit of Murphy III illustrates a truth: Golden State knows exactly what it needs, but can’t yet get it.
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