Report: Celtics’ Brad Stevens could keep Trey Murphy III as an offseason contingency if Giannis pursuit falters

The Celtics’ offseason planning may not hinge on a single outcome. According to a report from Yahoo Sports, Boston could explore New Orleans forward Trey Murphy III as a contingency plan if a pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo does not materialize, with Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens “throwing Boston’s hat in the ring” during this year’s trade sweepstakes.

The timing matters because Boston’s roster construction questions will not wait for one thread to resolve. The report frames Murphy III as the kind of alternative option a team turns to when the primary goal is uncertain, effectively creating a pathway to add value even if a marquee attempt runs into complications.

Murphy III’s name being floated in this context indicates Boston’s interest in a wing rotation piece that could fit the kind of lineup flexibility teams often prioritize when they are trying to improve their championship profile. The reported idea is not presented as a certainty or a signed deal, but as a contingency the Celtics could pursue depending on what happens with the Giannis storyline.

Stevens’ role is central to the way the report describes Boston’s decision-making. The Celtics executive, who oversees basketball operations, is portrayed as balancing aggressive pursuit with parallel evaluation of other targets, an approach that helps teams avoid a “wait-and-see” offseason that can shrink their leverage in trade or free-agent markets.

What is not established in the report is a clear timeline for any move involving Murphy III, or whether New Orleans would view a deal as realistic. Because the information is being presented as a backup plan, there is still considerable room for change, including whether Boston’s interest becomes concrete or fades based on developments in the Giannis negotiations.

For Celtics fans, the practical takeaway is that Boston’s offseason may have multiple layers: one built around the potential acquisition of a franchise-altering star, and another aimed at sustaining roster momentum if that top pursuit does not close. The Murphy III mention suggests Boston is trying to preserve optionality, keeping an additional acquisition route available rather than betting everything on one outcome.

The next test for this report will be confirmation from primary sources, such as statements from the Celtics or Pelicans organizations, or transaction-level reporting that ties any interest to actual discussions. Until then, Murphy III should be viewed as a reported contingency target in a larger Giannis-centered summer narrative.