Does Dejountae Murray have A Future With The Pelicans?
New Orleans is just 37-103 since acquiring Murray, including 9-22 in games that Murray has played. The Pelicans had won 40+ games in the two seasons before acquiring Murray. Conversely, the Hawks are 67-73 over this stretch. Not saying this is Murray’s fault, as the Pelicans have been hampered by injuries through this stretch and several bad decisions.
Murray is one of the top two-way guards in the league. But Murray is 29 and has two years left on his $63.4 million deal. Murray is slated to make $32.7 million in 2026-27 and has a $30.2 million player option for 2027-28. Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ average for next year is 25.5.
So, in essence, Murray and the Pelicans, who have finally embraced a rebuild, are on different timelines. The Pelicans couldn’t have 14 players under contract for next year with a salary cap hit totaling $196.21 million. That puts the Pelicans $4.8 million under the luxury tax.
So, it is not a surprise that New Orleans has some desire to move Muray.
“One rumor making the rounds involves sending Grizzlies star Ja Morant to New Orleans in a deal centered around veteran guards Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray,” William Guillory of The Athletic said before the trade deadline. “But a league source told The Athletic the rumor was “completely false” and the likelihood of Morant landing in New Orleans is extremely low because the team believes in Fears as its point guard of the future.”
“Yet while this particular deal seems unlikely, there is a growing sentiment that the Pelicans would prefer to move one — if not both — of the contracts attached to Poole and Murray,” Guillory continued.
New Orleans does have some flexibility. Kevon Looney ($8 million) and Karlo Matkovic ($2.2 million) have team options for next season. They will also look to move some players in trades. Poole, Missi, and Jordan Hawkins with Herbert Jones, Williamson. and Murphy are all also trade candidates.
