Pelicans' trading market opens! Will consider offers for Zion, Jones, and Murphy with very high asking prices set for the latter two.

On December 6th Beijing time, the New Orleans Pelicans initially targeted a playoff berth this season, but currently, many believe they are ready to change their approach, building around Fils and Quinn, and have begun listening to trade proposals concerning Zion, Murphy III, and Herbert Jones.

Because Zion has struggled to maintain consistent health and performance, he is considered to have little positive trade value; however, if the Pelicans do open negotiations before the NBA trade deadline on February 6th, wing players Murphy and Jones will undoubtedly become highly sought-after assets in the trade market.

“One thing is certain: the Pelicans will definitely listen to trade offers for Zion,” journalist Jack Fisher said on a live broadcast. “And just today, some teams revealed to me that New Orleans has also started to at least show willingness to consider offers for Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy.”

“These two will generate widespread interest across the league. Both have long-term, favorable contracts for their teams—with average annual salaries under $30 million, which is a significant price point in today’s market environment.”

Jones agreed to a three-year, $68 million extension with the Pelicans this July, including a player option for the 2029-30 season; Murphy signed a four-year, $112 million extension in October 2024, lasting through the 2029 offseason; Zion’s contract runs through 2028 but may be voided if certain conditions are not met.

“The Pelicans will set very high asking prices for these two (Murphy and Jones), requiring multiple first-round picks as compensation to trade either of them,” Fisher added. “This is the current situation as I understand it. But the direction is clear: under interim coach James Borrego, the Pelicans are moving toward building around Fils and Quinn as their core.”

It should be noted that the Pelicans do not hold their 2026 first-round pick—that pick was traded on draft night as part of the package to acquire Quinn and is now in the hands of the Atlanta Hawks.