Ever since the blockbuster trade bringing Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto became official, a looming shadow has hung over the Raptors’ roster: What is the long-term future of RJ Barrett? Entering the final year of his contract with glaring fit questions surrounding this new-look contender, the writing appears to be on the wall. If the front office decides to cash in on Barrett before the trade deadline, one name should sit firmly at the very top of their wishlist—New Orleans Pelicans sharpshooter Trey Murphy III.
Rumors surrounding Murphy’s availability have swirled for months, largely kept afloat by New Orleans’ steep asking price. However, with the Pelicans locking up Herb Jones long-term and handing a fresh extension to Saddiq Bey, Murphy’s positional necessity in the Bayou feels lower than it has in years. If the Pelicans stumble out of the gate, front office boss Joe Dumars may finally be ready to cash in on his most valuable trade chip. When that door cracks open, Toronto must be first in line, packaging Barrett, draft capital, and whatever else it takes to land the 6-foot-7 sniper.
Why TM3 is the Missing Puzzle Piece for Toronto
Analyzing Murphy’s game reveals why this potential swap is a massive upgrade for the Raptors. Far too often, casual observers lazily slap the “3-and-D” label on Murphy. In reality, he is an elite, high-leaping athletic floor-spacer who provides strong situational defense without needing to muck things up at the point of attack.
That specific defensive profile is an absolute dream for Toronto. With a defensive foundation already anchored by elite stoppers like Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Collin Murray-Boyles, the Raptors don’t need Murphy to be a lockdown perimeter pest.
Instead, Murphy’s primary mandate in Toronto would be pure, unadulterated floor spacing—a role that demands vastly less taxing shot-creation responsibilities than he currently shoulders in New Orleans. Crucially, it is a role RJ Barrett has consistently struggled to fill. Swapping Barrett’s underwhelming 33.9% clip from beyond the arc for Murphy’s blistering 37.9% efficiency on nearly eight attempts per game would instantly unlock the Raptors’ offensive ceiling.
The Financial and Tactical Fit
Beyond pure on-court production, the financial mechanics of a potential deal make heavy sense for Toronto. Murphy is locked into one of the most team-friendly value contracts in the modern NBA, earning $27 million next season, followed by $29 million and $31 million in the years after. In year one of a potential trade, swapping him for Barrett would actually provide immediate salary relief for the Raptors’ cap sheet.
For Murphy, a change of scenery feels increasingly necessary. While his time in New Orleans has occasionally felt restricted by fluctuating roster roles, stepping into a Raptors squad featuring elite playmakers like Barnes and Leonard would completely unleash his potential as an off-ball bucket-getter. He wouldn’t have to carry the offensive burden; he’d simply step in as the deadliest sniper on a legitimate contender.
If Toronto is truly serious about maximizing this championship window and capitalizing on Kawhi’s triumphant return, standing pat isn’t an option. If the Pelicans blink, the Raptors must aggressively strike and bring Trey Murphy III to the North.
