New Orleans Pelicans:

New Orleans accepts this deal because it finally eliminates ambiguity. Moving on from Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray allows the franchise to fully commit to a single timeline built around Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, and Trey Murphy III. In return, the Pelicans gain a controllable young wing in Moses Moody, immediate draft capital at pick #17, and future upside via a pick swap, all without taking on long-term risk. This move prioritizes development, flexibility, and clarity, signaling that New Orleans is no longer chasing short-term respectability but intentionally building toward a sustainable core.

Milwaukee Bucks:

Milwaukee accepts because the mandate is simple: keep Giannis competing for titles. Acquiring Dejounte Murray gives the Bucks a legitimate secondary creator who can handle late-game offense, reduce Giannis’ on-ball burden, and stabilize lineups when defenses load up. The Bucks don’t sacrifice premium draft capital or core frontcourt pieces, instead opting for a proven, playoff-tested guard who fits a win-now timeline. This is a proactive move that reinforces organizational commitment to contending rather than reacting once pressure around Giannis intensifies.

Golden State Warriors:

Golden State accepts because certainty matters more than optionality in the Stephen Curry era. By consolidating Moses Moody, De'Anthony Melton, pick #17, and a controlled future swap into Herbert Jones, the Warriors acquire a playoff-ready defensive stopper who can immediately guard elite Western Conference scorers. Herb fits seamlessly into closing lineups, doesn’t require offensive touches, and raises Golden State’s postseason floor in ways a mid-first rookie simply cannot. This is a classic contender move: sacrificing depth and future flexibility to maximize the present championship window.

Brooklyn Nets:

Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn accepts its role as facilitator because it aligns perfectly with their long-term strategy of quiet asset accumulation. Taking in De'Anthony Melton plus a future second-round pick adds a movable veteran contract without compromising cap flexibility or developmental priorities. The Nets assume minimal risk, retain future optionality, and position themselves to reroute Melton later if needed. For a rebuilding team prioritizing leverage and patience, this is exactly the type of low-noise, positive-value transaction they seek.