The Toronto Raptors have quietly put together a strong 2025–26 campaign so far. They are currently 29–20. They are firmly in the playoff picture and have surprised many around the league with their consistency.
However, despite their solid start, trade rumors surrounding the franchise continue to heat up. Now, an NBA insider has revealed that Toronto is exploring a major move to upgrade its roster ahead of the trade deadline.
NBA Insider’s Recent Revelation Regarding the Toronto Raptors
According to a recent report from NBA insider Brett Siegel on ClutchPoints, the Raptors are actually eyeing Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans. If we see the proposed deal would have sent RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, and some draft picks to the Big Easy in exchange for Murphy.
“Whereas the Bulls spoke with the Pelicans about both Missi and Zion Williamson, the Raptors were focused on Missi and Trey Murphy III.”
“Toronto has been aggressive this season on the trade market, and they brought up the idea of packaging RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, and draft picks to acquire both Missi and Murphy from New Orleans, which sources said was something the Pelicans weren’t willing to do,” Siegel wrote in his report.
Siegel didn’t stop there, as he also mentioned in his report that New Orleans has not completely shut the door on trade talks. The Pelicans value Murphy highly. But league chatter suggests they have at least listened to offers and weighed different scenarios.
“While the Pelicans have been receptive to trade calls, they have remained firm on their high asking prices for both Murphy and Herb Jones… multiple first-round picks and young talents with potential. Instead of attempting to trade either wing, the Pelicans have been focused on attempting to create a market for Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray,” Siegel added in his report.
It was back in 2021 when Murphy entered the league. It was after he was selected 17th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, before being traded on draft night to the Pelicans. If we see in 2024 that Murphy signed a four-year, $112 million rookie contract extension with New Orleans, which solidified his place as a key piece of their future, and for the 2025–26 season, he is supposed to earn a base salary of $25 million.
So if Murphy joined the Raptors, would he have been able to help the team? Well, yes.
He is currently averaging 21.9 points, 6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He is also shooting 47.9% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the arc. Those are solid numbers that any contending team would love to have.
If Murphy were to join the Raptors, he would immediately boost their offense, especially as a floor-spacer. Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Murphy’s arrival would be Scottie Barnes, as Murphy’s reliable outside shooting would create more driving lanes and take pressure off Barnes to carry the offense every night.
But if we look, Toronto wasn’t the only team pursuing him. Other sources suggest the Los Angeles Lakers are also in the Murphy sweepstakes.
“The Lakers, Pacers, Pistons, Spurs, Trail Blazers, and Warriors are among the teams who inquired with the Pelicans on Trey Murphy III during trade season,” wrote NBA Insider Evan Sidery on X.
The NBA trade deadline is set for February 5, so the clock is ticking. What will ultimately happen remains to be seen.
