The Portland Trail Blazers roster for the 2026-27 season might now be complete with 14 players contracted, assuming contracts for Vit Krejci, Sidy Cissoko, and newcomer Micah Potter are guaranteed. But my gut tells me General Manager Joe Cronin still has at least one more deal in him, if only for the fact that the Blazers still have five backcourt players in need of real rotation minutes.
Of the five, only Jrue Holiday is the above-average defender, a trait this team will look to rely on if new head
coach Micah Nori is to be believed. Damian Lillard has a no-trade clause and Ja Morant is the newest addition. This leaves recent lottery picks Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson as candidates to be included in trades to balance the roster.
As far as frontcourt players the franchise could and should target, there’s no one candidate, with availability and price point being the key factors. The obvious names include the Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr., PJ Washington (Dallas Mavericks) and Michael Porter Jr. (Brooklyn Nets).
But it’s the New Orleans Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III who makes the most sense for me. Unfortunately, available above-average forwards are likely at the top of a number of wishlists, which means he won’t be cheap.
Trey Murphy III
The 26-year-old, taken with the 17th overall pick in 2021, is establishing himself as one of the league’s more versatile two-way forwards. At 6’8, with a seven-foot wingspan, Murphy enjoys career averages of 15.4 points on 38.2 percent from three, 45.9 percent from the field, 4.3 boards, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals.
Oh and did we mention the contract? Over the final three years of his deal, Murphy is earning a more-than-palatable $87 million. A steal for someone of his ability and age.
On defense, his long arms and quick lateral movement make him a nuisance to get around, enabling him to guard backcourt players, wings, and forwards. This versatility that would complement the skillsets of incumbent Blazers such as Toumani Camara, improving this team’s defensive profile.
On offense, Murphy doesn’t need the ball in his hands but he can handle if needed, getting by on 22.7 percent usage last season. His athleticism allows him to get him downhill to finish with power, last season converting at 74.1 percent. More than anything, he addresses something this team desperately needs: long-range shooting.
Last season, Murphy registered in the 91st percentile in corner threes among wings, hitting 49.2 percent, helping him to his career-high 21.5 points per game. He took the seventh-highest number of shots from between 25 and 29 feet out with 6.6 attempts a game while still making 35.9 percent. With both Murphy and Lillard hitting long range threes, the floor opens up for guys like Morant and Deni Avdija to get to the rim.
Murphy has All Star potential but it needs to be fostered in the right environment where he’s complemented by the right pieces around him. He makes sense on this team, not only by balancing out the roster but by providing much needed shooting, defense and the ability to contribute off ball.
The Deal
Whether the Pelicans are actually making Murphy available remains to be seen. Some reports state they’re keeping him while others suggest they’ve reduced their asking prices from four first round picks to three. If he is available, the Blazers have a collection of contracts and picks that should get the deal done.
The most likely package would be Shaedon Sharp and Vit Krejci as well as two to three picks, most likely made up of a Bucks asset, the 2028 unprotected Magic pick and a future Blazers pick, preferably 2027. In this example, the Blazers take on a little bit more money but remain under the tax.
A second package, which might be met with fiery backlash from some Blazers fans, would involve both Sharpe and Henderson and one-to-two picks, one of which would probably need to be a Bucks asset. In this deal, the Pelicans would also send back Saddiq Bey who can also hit the three from the forward positions. There’d be no issue with money with the amount changing hands essentially being equal.
I know a lot of you are enamored with Henderson and Sharpe. For me, Sharpe would be the bigger loss but this Blazers team needs size and two-way skillsets and the duo have struggled to carve out clear roles, not only battling injury, but also inconsistency.
The Balance
In the most likely package, the Blazers would still be dealing with a backlog in the backcourt, with Lillard, Morant, Holiday, and Henderson but it’d be eased slightly with Sharpe’s departure. In this scenario, my ideal rotation would see Murphy starting at either forward spot alongside Deni Avdija.
Donovan Clingan and Damian Lillard would start at center and point guard respectively with the starting shooting guard spot up for grabs. I’m inclined to go left field here and start Toumani Camara at the two, presenting a formidable defensive lineup that makes up for Lillard’s deficiencies while retaining real shooting.
In this scenario, Morant, Henderson and Holiday come off the bench with Robert Williams III. The second unit would be just as potent offensively but giving up quite a bit defensively.
The second package would completely balance the second unit with Morant and Holiday in the backcourt and Bey and Williams serving as the main four off the bench.
Conclusion
Whether Murphy is actually available remains to be seen but if he is, the Blazers should be willing to part with a portion of their assets to bring him in. He makes sense not just in skillset but in age, position and contract. But Murphy is still not the piece that gets the Blazers to a title, so it would be prudent for them not completely empty the cupboard for him.
The Blazers could be done this offseason after adding Potter yesterday, but I’d have concerns with them entering the season so unbalanced, devoid of depth at the forward positions.
Executing a guard(s) and picks for Murphy trade would make the Morant deal make sense because in insolation the latter raises more questions than answers. Importantly, with three years left on his deal, Murphy has a chance to play on a winning roster and grow with a young core, ensuring the franchise’s upward momentum continues.
