The Golden State Warriors have been linked to several prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft with their No. 11 pick, including Tennessee standout Nate Ament.
However, with the franchise firmly focused on contending during the closing years of Stephen Curry’s prime, New Orleans Pelicans star Trey Murphy III stands out as a proven impact player whose experience and skill set align much more closely with the Warriors’ win-now ambitions.
Warriors Trade Rumors Swirl Around No. 11 NBA Draft Pick and Trey Murphy III
Ament averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 35 games in his freshman season with Tennessee. His scoring ability and immense potential could make him a promising fit for the Warriors, but according to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, he will not be participating in a pre-draft workout with Golden State.
“To that end, league sources say, Ament has decided not to work out for the Warriors, who hold the No. 11 pick,” the report says.
“Golden State’s selection has proven to be a spot on the board that various rival teams have begun to pinpoint as a potential trade opportunity … partly because New Orleans is no longer hanging up on teams calling to inquire about two-way wing Trey Murphy III, and the Warriors’ longstanding interest in Murphy has been well-chronicled.”
NBA insider Evan Sidery also proposed a possible trade scenario in which Murphy would land with the Warriors. In that framework, New Orleans would receive Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, the No. 11 overall pick, a 2027 pick swap, and a 2028 first-round selection.
The discussion came as Fischer said the Pelicans are no longer instantly turning away teams that call about Murphy.
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“The Pelicans are known to ‘want a lot’ for Murphy, as one interested team told The Stein Line last week, but they will at least listen,” Fischer wrote. “The Pelicans, furthermore, are also known to be very interested in acquiring a lottery pick for next week’s festivities.
New Orleans, at present, only holds No. 58 at the end of next Wednesday’s second round.”
It remains to be seen how the discussion evolves, as holding the 58th pick leaves the Pelicans with limited access to top-tier draft talent unless they complete a trade.
Murphy is currently playing under a four-year, $112 million fully guaranteed contract that carries an average annual value of $28 million.
Murphy is coming off a strong season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 37.9% from three-point range. Over five seasons and 317 games with New Orleans, he has averaged 15.4 points per game and connected on 38.2% of his three-point attempts. The former first-round pick’s athleticism makes him an ideal fit alongside Curry and Draymond Green.
As for Ament and the Pelicans scenario, Fischer said that league sources believe he is among the top prospects New Orleans would strongly consider if it were able to move high enough in the draft to select him.
