Last year, I remember writing about how the Raptors could find a suitable OG Anunoby replacement by targeting New Orleans Pelicans defensive stalwart Herb Jones, should rumors of him being available proved true.
Unfortunately, my vision of seeing him in Raptors threads did not come to fruition. However, with indications pointing toward a complete Pelicans roster and front office overhaul, the door opens once again for Toronto to look to New Orleans as a prime destination for acquiring noteworthy talent.
Of course, Toronto already reached out to New Orleans earlier this year to secure the Brandon Ingram deal — a transaction that allowed the Raptors to acquire an ex-All-Star for a fraction of the usual cost.
I came across a Kevin O'Connor 2025 mock draft piece from a while back, where one of his comments was particularly striking regarding the Pelicans' direction. Here's what he had to say in that article:
"There are no untouchables in New Orleans. League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available."Kevin O'Connor, May 30, 2025
Jones was just one of the Pelicans players who enamored me with his gritty playstyle, but thankfully for New Orleans, they have yet another talented, and possibly even better, 3-and-D wing in their midst: Trey Murphy III.
Trey Murphy III might be the ideal complimentary piece for the Raptors
Murphy experienced an uptick in his production this past season, despite the Pelicans facing numerous adversities throughout the year. His final 2024-25 season stats were as follows: 21.2 points per game on 45.4% shooting from the field, 36.1% from three, along with averages of 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35 minutes played per game.
He is a highly versatile combo forward, combining catch-and-shoot ability, a lengthy frame that enhances his defensive potential, and solid athleticism — all in one package. However, don't limit Murphy's archetype to just a good shooter; this year, he demonstrated that his numbers could improve across the board with a more prominent role, which certainly increases his appeal as a potential fit for the Raptors.
In a sense, the role he serves for New Orleans is quite similar to what RJ Barrett provides for the Toronto outlook. Barrett's rise was definitely a highlight of the Raptors' past season, but I would imagine that if Toronto were to pursue TMIII, they might revisit using the "Maple Mamba" as the centerpiece in a Pelicans deal, similar to the reported approach during the initial Brandon Ingram trade talks.
A simple one-for-one swap obviously wouldn't be enough to attract New Orleans, and given Murphy's talents, I'm sure they could be outbid easily across the league by teams in desperate need of that type of player — like Detroit or Memphis.
However, if Toronto were to offer a draft pick or two, or engage in some pick swaps with New Orleans, that might get negotiations moving in a more serious direction. Or, if Toronto wants to get really bold, they could offer one of their more expendable young players to sweeten the deal — perhaps someone like Gradey Dick.
Sure, adding Murphy is just another wing in a crowded Raptors roster, but you can easily argue that he fits much better for this hopeful winning vision than RJ Barrett does. Even better for Toronto, he's already locked into a long-term deal, though it's up to them whether they're willing to pay that price over time.
I believe he would be a tremendous addition, and if the rumors about Toronto pursuing Cam Johnson are true, then why not go bigger in pursuit of Trey Murphy III?