Paul George has emerged as a high-profile trade candidate for the Boston Celtics in a hypothetical scenario proposed by Athlon Sports analyst Nathaniel Holloway, which would send the veteran forward to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III.
The Proposed Trade Structure Between Boston and New Orleans
Holloway stated that the framework benefits both franchises as Boston adds immediate depth while New Orleans acquires George—who holds a player option for the final year of his contract—to aid their ongoing roster trajectory.
The primary hurdle centers on financial constraints under the NBA salary cap. Heavy.com reports that including Sam Hauser in the package would allow the Celtics to shave $5.2 million off their cap sheet, leaving them approximately $6.9 million below the tax line while still securing both Murray and Murphy.
On-Court Fit for the Celtics Under Joe Mazzulla
Acquiring Dejounte Murray would give Boston an additional guard option capable of organizing the offense, defending the perimeter, and connecting the rotation alongside Derrick White. However, analyst assessments indicate that Trey Murphy III represents the most enticing piece of the package.
Murphy, 26, offers three-level scoring, floor-spacing ability without the ball, and defensive versatility that fits seamlessly into coach Joe Mazzulla’s system. While Boston previously monitored Murphy during the summer without completing a deal, this hypothetical swap provides a pathway to inject youth into the core without entering a complete rebuild.
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