Bill Simmons links Trey Murphy III to Celtics ahead of 3-week trade window

The 2026 NBA Draft is now less than a month away. By the time it arrives, the expectation is that there will be a resolution on the Giannis Antetokounmpo front. According to Bill Simmons, there could also be a rising star on the move.

"Trey Murphy [III], we assume he's probably going to get traded over these next three weeks. I think Boston is a possibility," stated Simmons in a recent episode of his eponymously named podcast. We thought whoever lost this matchup [Spurs and Thunder] was a possibility; there's a couple [of] other teams. But you have two, three weeks to trade for somebody like that."

As Hardwood Houdini previously explored, acquiring Murphy would be an absolute home run for the Celtics. Depending on the price, it's one of the best potential moves they can make this offseason.

Why the Celtics should trade for Trey Murphy III

Boston does not need to break up its star tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Even if you think it's generous to label pairing them with Murphy as a new iteration of a "Big 3," that's a formidable trio to move forward with. Rather than parting with Brown and taking on the injury risks associated with Antetokounmpo, the Celtics would be adding a rising talent with All-Star potential to their nucleus.

Murphy has averaged over 21 points per game in his last two seasons. He is a career 38.2 percent three-point shooter on 6.7 attempts from beyond the arc. His growth as a playmaker led to distributing a personal-best 3.8 assists in the 2025-26 campaign. He also snagged 5.7 rebounds and swiped 1.5 steals per contest. It has been impressive to watch the five-year veteran continue to round out his game.

Brad Stevens said he wants Boston to have a greater impact at the rim. The six-foot-eight Murphy threw down 103 dunks this season. That ranked 21st across the Association, per screwball.com.

The former 17th overall pick is also an undeniably strong fit in Joe Mazzulla's offense. He knocked down 42.6 percent of his 5.0 catch-and-shoot three-point attempts last season. He'd be an ideal kick-out option for the Celtics' primary ball-handlers. Not to mention, his gravity would make it easier for those individuals to attack downhill.

At the other end of the floor, Murphy ranked 12th in steals per game, among those who appeared in at least 50 tilts and averaged 25 minutes or more. He's a two-way wing whose arrival would help Boston generate more turnovers. He would also make his new team more athletic, addressing another one of their needs.

What would it cost the Celtics to acquire Trey Murphy III?

If the New Orleans Pelicans decide to part with Murphy, it would make sense to do so before this year's NBA Draft. That would also allow teams to acquire him in the current league year. That makes it a bit easier since he's on the books for $25 million this season and $27 million for the 2026-27 campaign. He has three years and $87 million total left on his deal. There are no options on his contract.

Either way, he would fit into Boston's $27.7 million traded player exception [TPE]. As indicated by the three-week window Simmons laid out, if the Pelicans trade him, they'll figure to want draft capital this year, considering the depth of talent in this class. Next year's initial outlook isn't as promising. It would be easier for the Celtics to execute this deal if it's agreed upon before the draft, but not made official until the start of the new league year.

To satisfy New Orleans and have the winning bid for a player who surely has plenty of interested suitors, they will likely have to send an attractive package of draft picks. The fact that Boston would be acquiring another starter at the wing position would make it that much more palatable to include a young player or two at the same spot.

It's also not a move that would preclude the Celtics from resetting the repeater tax. They would also still be able to, for example, fortify the center position.

Murphy, who turns 26 in June, is just about to enter his prime. It's an investment in upside that addresses multiple needs, fits their system, and would allow Boston to add to its current core without splitting up Tatum and Brown. The price to acquire Murphy is worth paying, in this author's opinion.

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