New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III is someone the Portland Trail Blazers have previously expressed interest in. A blockbuster trade deadline acquisition didn't happen as the Pelicans maintained a steep asking price for their rising star, but the Blazers should absolutely revisit this in the summer. In fact, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale recently included Murphy as one of the three players the Blazers should target this offseason.
Typically, it wouldn't make sense for an up-and-coming team currently in the 10 seed to make such an aggressive move. Most teams would be content to gradually improve as their young core continues to develop. But this Blazers rebuild and roster are unconventional. They have a short window to win-now with aging stars Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard back in the picture. Some of their youth also seem ready to take that next leap, particularly Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan.
That's why Murphy is the perfect piece for Portland to pursue this summer. He fits both timelines the Blazers are straddling, as someone who can make a short-term playoff push while also fitting perfectly with their young core at just 25.
From a roster standpoint, he bolsters the Blazers defensive identity with his versatility as a 6-foot-8 wing capable of guarding multiple positions. Offensively, he would provide Portland with much-needed floor spacing, making him an ideal co-star alongside Avdija.
Trey Muprhy III would be the perfect co-star for Deni Avdija
The ceiling of this Blazers roster is using Avdija in a point-forward role, where he can have the ball in his hands and exploit a matchup advantage as teams struggle to keep up with his rare combination of strength and speed. They should be looking to build around Avdija at point guard and Clingan at center, with Portland's big man proving himself to be a key building block.
It won't be cheap to land someone of Murphy's caliber, but Portland has a few key players they shouldn't consider untouchable this summer. Building around Avdija and Clingan with veteran guards Lillard and Holiday, they could already have four of their five starting spots secured for next season.
Here's what their (offensive) lineup could look like with Murphy in the picture:
PG: Deni Avdija
SG: Damian Lillard
SF: Jrue Holiday
PF: Trey Murphy III
C: Donovan Clingan
By the process of elimination, that means Camara, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson should be considered expendable.
Losing these pieces would sting, but it's unclear how they fit into the final iteration of Portland's roster, particularly Sharpe and Henderson. The former could be best served as a sixth man on a contender, while the latter is stuck in no man's land as a guard who can't shoot or effectively run an offense.
A lineup of Avdija at point with Lillard, Holiday, and Murphy spacing the floor with Clingan anchoring the middle would instantly be a top-five seed in the Western Conference. That potential lineup addresses the shooting and playmaking problems that have plagued Portland this season. It has enough defense to compensate for Lillard's weaknesses, and Avdija's physicality allows him to easily slide up to the four spot on that end.
Portland has unlocked Avdija in what has been a surprising All-Star season. Next year, they need to find ways to utilize their All-Star better. That means finding these complementary stars to surround him with, and Murphy fits that bill perfectly.
If the Blazers want to give Lillard a shot at a postseason run without compromising their future, they should be calling the New Orleans Pelicans this summer.