New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans does this trade because it finally resolves the franchise’s biggest structural issue: conflicting timelines and unclear identity. Moving Dejounte Murray acknowledges that a ball-dominant, win-now guard does not fit a roster being reshaped around Jeremiah Fears as the lead initiator and Derik Queen as a long-term offensive hub. Trading Herbert Jones, while painful, is a conscious choice to cash in a peak-value role player whose prime does not fully align with the development arc of Fears and Queen.
In return, the Pelicans prioritize directional assets. The 2026 Warriors first-round pick is viewed internally as the cornerstone of the deal — a realistic opportunity to draft a high-impact defensive forward like Chris Cenac Jr., a Jaren Jackson Jr.–type archetype who can protect the rim, switch across positions, and space the floor next to Queen without needing touches. Moses Moody fits the same age curve and provides a scalable 3-and-D wing who can grow with the core. Kyle Kuzma is accepted as a flexible bridge contract — capable of scoring, rebounding, and being flipped later if needed — while Jericho Sims supplies cheap, athletic depth behind Queen and Yves Missi. The 2027 pick swap preserves upside if Golden State declines post-Steph. For New Orleans, this deal is not about winning immediately; it is about finally building a roster that makes basketball sense over the next five years.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee’s reasoning is singular and unapologetic: maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime. The Bucks believe their championship window remains open but fragile, and their most glaring weakness has been consistent perimeter creation in high-leverage moments. Acquiring Dejounte Murray is a bet on upside — specifically, the belief that in a reduced role next to Giannis, Murray can return closer to his All-Star form as a two-way guard who can defend, initiate offense, and relieve late-game pressure.
Milwaukee is comfortable parting with Kyle Kuzma because, while productive, he is not central to their championship identity, and his usage overlaps with existing forwards. Jericho Sims is expendable depth for a team focused on playoff rotations rather than regular-season insurance. The Bucks do not give up premium first-round capital or core frontcourt pieces, allowing them to justify the deal internally as a targeted upgrade rather than a desperate gamble. The hope is simple: Murray stabilizes the backcourt, Giannis remains happy, and the title window stays open.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State accepts this trade because it is entirely aligned with Stephen Curry’s championship window and Steve Kerr’s playoff priorities. The Warriors are willing to part with Moses Moody, De'Anthony Melton, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 pick swap because none of those assets are guaranteed to impact playoff basketball in the way Herbert Jones already does.
Herb is viewed as a near-perfect schematic fit: an elite point-of-attack defender who can guard the league’s best wings, does not need the ball, and thrives in high-IQ defensive systems. Plugging him next to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis gives Golden State one of the most intimidating defensive playoff lineups in the NBA without sacrificing spacing or offensive flow. From the Warriors’ perspective, this is a classic consolidation: turning future uncertainty and rotational depth into immediate postseason certainty. The extra 2026 second-round pick helps offset the asset cost and eases internal approval.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn participates as a facilitator because it aligns perfectly with their rebuild philosophy: take value where others need flexibility. By absorbing De'Anthony Melton and receiving a 2031 second-round pick, the Nets add a competent veteran on a movable contract with essentially no downside. Melton can either provide short-term on-court stability or be rerouted later for additional assets. The second-round pick is viewed internally as “found money” — acquired without sacrificing cap flexibility, draft control, or developmental minutes. For a rebuilding team focused on leverage rather than urgency, this is an easy, low-risk win.
League-wide summary
This trade works because each team gives up surplus value to solve its most pressing problem: New Orleans gains clarity and draft-driven direction, Milwaukee doubles down on Giannis’ prime, Golden State fortifies its championship defense around Steph, and Brooklyn quietly extracts a free asset for facilitating the movement.