The New Orleans Pelicans have pulled off a stunning trade move Friday night, with Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reporting that the Western Conference franchise is acquiring star point guard Dejounte Murray via a trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
Per Wojnarowski, the Pels are trading a 2025 first-round (via the Lakers) and a least-favorable Milwaukee/Pelicans 2027 first-round pick, Larry Nance Jr., and more, for Murray”.
Woj later provided more specific details about the trade:
Full trade on ESPN: Dejounte Murray for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, 2025 first-round pick (via Lakers), 2027 first-round pick (least favorable of Bucks-Pels)
The Hawks are long rumored to be shopping Murray, though, they were not able to find a landing spot for him ahead of the last NBA trade deadline. Atlanta’s decision to part ways with the talented two-way backcourt weapon also came on the heels of the Hawks selecting Zaccharie Risacher as No. 1 overall at the recently concluded 2024 NBA Draft.
Murray has a few years left on his current deal which will not expire until at least the end of the 2026-27 season. He still has a player option worth $31.33 million for the 2027-28 campaign.
New Orleans Pelicans get a massive boost after Dejounte Murray trade
With the Pelicans adding Murray, they get a shiny new weapon they hope would help them to finally become a true contender in the West, at least. The Pelicans have made the playoffs just twice since the end of the 2017-18 season and neither trip to the postseason saw them play beyond the first round.
In two seasons with the Hawks, Murray averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 152 games, while also shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from behind the arc.
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