New NBA Draft Trade Rumors Reveal Strategies for Warriors, Clippers, Suns Before Round 1
While much of the discourse heading into the 2026 NBA draft has centered around the four best players, plenty of intrigue surrounds the rest of the first round.
The Stein Line's Jake Fischer reported Wednesday the Golden State Warriors at No. 11 are considered "a potential trade opportunity."
According to Fischer, Golden State has maintained a "longstanding interest" in New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, and the Pels are at least willing to entertain trade calls. They'd also like to move up into the lottery.
Sending Murphy to the Bay Area could help facilitate that, and the Warriors would be adding a two-way presence who provides some insurance in case Jimmy Butler isn't the same player after his torn ACL.
Like New Orleans, the Phoenix Suns don't have a 2026 first-rounder after using it to offload the contract of veteran center Jusuf Nurkić. Fischer reported they're discussing scenarios to get back into the first round.
Phoenix is well over the cap but has some flexibility thanks to being under the first apron of the luxury tax. Trading up would give them a chance to address a roster need with young, cost-controlled talent.
Dealing center Ivica Zubac ahead of the trade deadline proved to be very shrewd for the Los Angeles Clippers as they wound up with the No. 5 overall pick. Not surprisingly, they may not squander the opportunity their draft position presents them.
"The Clippers, to this point, certainly aren't moving like a team that has interest in surrendering No. 5 for a veteran," Fischer reported. "They have been deep in draft workouts with almost every prospect that is regarded to be part of the tier behind the foursome almost universally to go 1-2-3-4: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson."
The NBA insider said Arizona guard Brayden Burries made a strong impression on L.A., while Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, Alabama guard Darius Acuff Jr. and Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. could be in play.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected the Clippers to pick Wagler, who averaged 17.9 points and shot 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a true freshman.
Having been in win-now mode ever since landing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2019, the Clippers might finally be taking a longer view with Leonard hitting free agency next summer. Even if Los Angeles intends to be aggressive during the 2027 offseason, when it will have a bounty of cap space, the No. 5 pick could net the team a real difference-maker.
Targeting a guard would give the front office some options, too, if it isn't totally sold on Darius Garland, who's signed for two more years.
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