Pelicans showing trade interest in Hawks’ Dejounte Murray

The New Orleans Pelicans are among the teams expressing interest in Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.

Murray is believed to be available, though perhaps not as much as has been reported. Along with the Pelicans, he has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets.

But again, there’s some skepticism as to whether the Hawks will actually pull a deal. Reports suggest that Atlanta coach Quin Snyder is hoping the team keeps Murray.

“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,” wrote Marc Stein of The Stein Line. “I am less optimistic personally, but the source certainly has me curious.”

Murray is averaging 21.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals, shooting 47 percent from the field and 37 percent on 3-pointers. He is making $17.7 million this season after signing a four-year, $114 million extension.

The Pelicans (29-21 entering Wednesday) sit in seventh place in the Western Conference. 

New Orleans would have a “Big 4” of Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Murray if the front office figures out a way to acquire Murray, opined Ashish Mathur of NBA Analysis.

Muray carries NBA career averages of 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Hawks and San Antonio Spurs. He won the 2021-22 steals title. He is set to make $24.8 million next season after the extension kicks in.

On a @BR_NBA video stream this afternoon, @ChrisBHaynes floated the New Orleans Pelicans as a sleeper team for Dejounte Murray.

Did stress that there was nothing imminent between the teams.

But said the Pelicans are “very much in play.” https://t.co/E5g5oEBWKK

— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) February 7, 2024