NBA Rumors: Dejounte Murray Was Traded by the Hawks to the Pelicans Before 2024 Free Agency
In his ninth NBA season (his second in Atlanta), Murray, 27, averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game for the Hawks.
After playing with the San Antonio Spurs for six seasons, the 2021–2022 NBA All-Star joined the Hawks. Notably, Atlanta received a 2026 selection swap in addition to three first-round picks (2023, 2025, and 2027).
The organization was obviously betting big on point guard Trae Young, an offensively-minded player, and Murray as a new backcourt combination.
Unfortunately, despite the two of them leading, the team was unable to get things going. In 2022–23, Atlanta finished with a 41–41 record and lost to the Boston Celtics in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. Last season, things took a turn for the worst, culminating in a 36-46 record and an early elimination from the play-in tournament.
Due to the Hawks’ inability to secure a winning season last year and into the winter, trade rumors regarding both Murray and Young were abundant. Despite signing a four-year, $114.1 million contract (which includes a 2027–2028 player option) in the 2023 offseason, Murray ultimately leaves town.
Murray joins a Pelicans club that is led by CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson. Following the move, Brandon Ingram, who has been frequently linked to a trade out of New Orleans, may not have many more days with the organization.
Although they’re still “trying to find common ground” with an Ingram contract, Wojnarowski stated that the Pelicans still believe that Murray can “generate offense late in games” and that the team is dedicated to Williamson and McCollum.
Williamson’s left hamstring issue prevented him from playing during the 2023–24 season, which saw New Orleans win 49 games but lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
With Murray on board, the Pelicans have an additional primary ball handler who can lead coach Willie Green’s system and lessen the scoring load on the No. 1 overall choice in 2019.