Dejounte Murray Traded to New Orleans PelicansDejounte Murray Traded to New Orleans Pelicans The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly traded guard Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The 27-year-old Murray, an eight-year NBA veteran, averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game for the Hawks last season. He was acquired by Atlanta from the San Antonio Spurs in 2023 in a deal that sent three future first-round picks to San Antonio. Despite the acquisition of Murray, the Hawks struggled to make an impact under his and Trae Young’s leadership. The team finished with a 41-41 record in 2022-23 and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. Last season, their record worsened to 36-46, leading to an early exit in the play-in tournament. Trade rumors have been swirling around both Murray and Young, and the Hawks have been unable to achieve a winning season. Despite Murray signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension in the 2023 offseason, he has now been traded. Murray joins a Pelicans team that boasts Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum. Brandon Ingram, who has been linked to potential trade talks, may see his future with New Orleans in jeopardy. Despite the addition of Murray, the trade could have a significant impact on the Pelicans’ roster. The future of Brandon Ingram, the team’s other star player, remains uncertain, and the team’s dynamic could be altered by the presence of another ball-dominant guard.
The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly traded guard Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN.
The 27-year-old Murray averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game for the Hawks in his eighth NBA season (his second in Atlanta).
The 2021-2022 NBA All-Star landed with the Hawks after six seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. Atlanta notably dealt three first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027) and a 2026 pick swap. It’s clear the team went all-in on a new backcourt partnership between Murray and point guard Trae Young, a more offensively oriented player.
Unfortunately, the team couldn’t get things going under the duo’s leadership. Atlanta went 41-41 in 2022-23, falling in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Boston Celtics. Things got a little worse last season, resulting in a 36-46 record and an immediate loss in the play-in tournament.
There was no shortage of trade rumors involving both Murray and Young last year and into the offseason, with the Hawks unable to break through for a winning season.
Ultimately, Murray is out of town despite signing a four-year, $120 million extension through 2027 (plus a 2027-28 player option) during the 2023 offseason.
Murray joins a Pelicans team that features Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum. Brandon Ingram, who has been repeatedly linked to a trade from New Orleans, could see his days with the team numbered in the aftermath of the trade.
