The Ponce Lions announced a significant trade with the Quebradillas Pirates, exchanging forward Jordan Murphy for forward Nate Santos. Santos, a 6'7" player who can play both power forward and small forward, was the Pirates' third pick in the 2025 rookie draft and has not yet debuted in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). Murphy, a former member of the national team, was the Lions' second pick in the 2019 draft and debuted in the BSN in 2021, winning Rookie of the Year.
However, he has struggled with consistency due to a suspension and injuries. The Lions highlighted Santos' ability to play open and contribute as a long-distance shooter, citing his combination of size, mobility, and exterior shooting as key assets. Santos previously played in the NBA's G-League with Iowa, averaging 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, with a 39% three-point shooting percentage.
The acquisition of Santos is part of the Lions' restructuring process ahead of the 2027 season, with the team aiming to strengthen its roster with a center and a strong forward to complement Christian Negrón.