NBA Rumors: The Possible Major Trade Between the Spurs and the Pelicans

The San Antonio Spurs made a significant leap last season by reaching the NBA Finals, but the defeat left an obvious question open: do they already have the team necessary to win the championship? Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes they can still take another step and proposes a spectacular trade with the New Orleans Pelicans that would send Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray to San Antonio in exchange for De'Aaron Fox and a huge number of Draft picks.

The operation is based on a fundamental premise: Dylan Harper is ready to take on the starting role in the backcourt during his second season. The No. 2 pick in the 2025 Draft was already included in the best rookie lineup and had a historic playoffs, surpassing David Robinson's record for the most points scored by a Spurs rookie in a single postseason. If Harper and Stephon Castle are ready to take on more responsibility, San Antonio could afford to sacrifice Fox to build an even more balanced team around Wembanyama.

The proposed trade between Spurs and Pelicans

The proposal represents a true reconstruction of the Spurs' perimeter. Fox would be the significant piece sacrificed, while San Antonio would receive two players capable of making an immediate impact. Murphy would provide size, outside shooting, and scoring ability from the small forward position, while Murray would return to the franchise where he became an All-Star to take on a different role than he had then.

San Antonio clears the way for Harper and Castle

The statistical argument supporting the operation is especially interesting. Hughes points out that San Antonio recorded a +41.9 net rating when Wembanyama shared the court with Castle and Harper while Fox was on the bench. That number was significantly higher than what was achieved with Harper and Fox or Castle and Fox when the third member of the rotation was resting.

This does not mean that Fox is a problem for the Spurs, but it does raise a question of hierarchies. With Harper entering his second year and Castle establishing himself as a key piece, keeping Fox with a salary close to $50 million may limit the natural evolution of the perimeter. The proposal would allow handing the keys of the team to Harper and Castle while Wembanyama continues to be the absolute centerpiece.

And Murphy would fit particularly well around them. His size and outside threat would offer Wembanyama a much more compatible partner from a spatial perspective, allowing the Frenchman more room to operate near the basket.

The return of Dejounte Murray would make sense

Murray's presence may be more controversial. The player was already an All-Star with San Antonio, but in this hypothetical operation, he would not return to be the team's primary creator. His role would be much more complementary, as a third guard and a rotational piece.

That could precisely be one of the keys. Murray already knows the franchise, can handle the ball, defend multiple perimeter positions, and assume offensive responsibility when Harper or Castle need a rest. Additionally, he would have a much more defined role than Fox within a structure where Wembanyama is the primary reference and the young perimeter players must grow.

New Orleans bets on Fox and accumulates a treasure of Draft picks

For the Pelicans, parting ways with Murphy would be extremely painful. The franchise has rejected proposals for one of its most coveted players for months, but the reward would be enormous.

Fox would be the main sports argument. Hughes believes he can become the primary creator and veteran leader of a New Orleans team determined to compete immediately. His contract is far higher than Murray's, but the Pelicans would also receive an extraordinary amount of Draft capital.

The operation includes three first rounds and two swaps, in addition to three second rounds. In other words, New Orleans would turn Murphy into a huge collection of future assets while trading Murray for a guard with greater capability to assume offensive leadership.

A bet that could define the Spurs' future

The proposal is aggressive because San Antonio would be giving up an All-Star caliber player and a significant number of picks to bet on a much more specific core: Harper, Castle, Murphy, and Wembanyama. If the young players are truly ready to take on more prominence, the move could considerably raise the team's ceiling.

The big risk would be evident: Fox remains a player capable of generating points and individual advantages in the most challenging moments. Parting with him means fully trusting Harper and Castle, with only two seasons of accumulated experience.

But if the goal is to build the best possible team around Wembanyama, the proposal makes sense. San Antonio trades individual creation for balance, shooting, and depth, while New Orleans sacrifices young talent to acquire a established star and an extraordinary Draft haul.

Conclusion: it does not appear to be a straightforward trade to execute, especially since the Pelicans have long protected Trey Murphy III, but the idea is tremendously interesting. If Harper is ready to make the leap, Murphy could be a much more natural fit for Wembanyama than Fox, and the return of Murray would provide experience without blocking the growth of the young backcourt. San Antonio wouldn't need more talent: they would need all their pieces to fit. And this proposal aims to achieve that.

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