According to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, the New Orleans Pelicans are interested in trading for Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray.
The Hawks are open to moving Murray before tomorrow’s NBA trade deadline.
Murray has been linked to the Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets. NBA insider Marc Stein wrote about the new intel he’s heard about Murray in his latest Substack column.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
“One source close to the process optimistically insisted Tuesday night that a Dejounte Murray deal that would send Murray out of Atlanta has not been extinguished as a possibility,” Stein wrote. “I am less optimistic personally, but the source certainly has me curious.”
The Hawks want at least two future first-round picks for Murray, who is averaging 21.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 46.6% from the field, 37.0% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. He’s one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
A Seattle native, Murray is making $17.7 million this season. He signed a four-year, $114 extension with the Hawks last summer. The extension kicks in next season when Murray will make $24.8 million.
The Pelicans are in seventh place in the West. They are 29-21 and have two of the top players in the NBA in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. We also can’t forget about CJ McCollum, who is a professional scorer.
The Pelicans would have a “Big 4” of Ingram, Williamson, McCollum and Murray if New Orleans’ front office figures out a way to acquire Murray from Atlanta.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
A one-time All-Star, Murray has career averages of 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the San Antonio Spurs and Hawks. He made the 2017-18 All-Defensive Second Team and won the 2021-22 steals title.
