The New Orleans Pelicans acquired guard Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks in the first major trade of the summer, but that doesn’t mean the Pelicans are done dealing.
Per Christian Clark of NOLA.com, the fun may have just begun. Or more accurately, Pelicans head of basketball operations David Griffin may still have more moves up his sleeve.
“New Orleans’ biggest need is a starting center,” Clark wrote. “It’s possible the Pelicans move Ingram to address that hole. The Pelicans would love to add Jarrett Allen, a low-maintenance rim protector and lob threat who is on a team-friendly contract. It’s unclear if the Cavaliers are willing to part with him. Cleveland president of basketball operations Koby Altman said he didn’t ‘envision breaking up’ his core group of players a few weeks ago.”
Nonetheless, Murray is a good start for the Pelicans — who sent Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddell and two first-round picks back to the Hawks.
“The Murray acquisition means the Pelicans’ days of a point-guard-by-committe approach are over. Murray will assume that role,” Clark wrote. “The 27-year-old is owed $90.9 million over the next three seasons, a reasonable number for a one-time All-Star just entering his prime years.”
One of the top two-way players in the NBA, Murray averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks in 2023-24, shooting 45.9% from the field, 36.3% on 3-pointers and 79.4% from the free-throw line.
The Hawks signed Murray to a four-year, $114 million extension in July 2023. He is due to make $24.8 million next season.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
