Rich Paul Told David Griffin Pelicans Needed To Trade For Dejounte Murray

Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told David Griffin that the New Orleans Pelicans needed to trade for Dejounte Murray, one of the top two-way players in the NBA. 

Griffin listened to Paul, as the Pelicans acquired Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. 

David Griffin: We were at the Klutch pro-day, we got together with Rich Paul there. One thing Rich said to us was “You know you really need to try to get Dejounte Murray”… When he shared the excitement Dejounte had for our situation, it was an eye opening thing pic.twitter.com/cZByfPyYbI

— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) July 9, 2024

Murray averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 45.9% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 79.4% from the free-throw line.

The Hawks signed Murray to a four-year, $114 million extension in July 2023. Murray will make $24.8 million next season. 

Murray has career averages of 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the San Antonio Spurs and Hawks.

With Murray in the fold, the Pelicans have to make a decision with Brandon Ingram, who has one year left on his contract and wants a maximum extension. Ingram will make $36 million in 2024-25. 

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans in 2023-24 while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line.

The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

Ingram has career averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Pelicans. He won the 2019-20 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. 

The Pelicans acquired Ingram from the Lakers in 2019. New Orleans hasn’t won a playoff series with Ingram. 

According to NBA reporter William Guillory of The Athletic, the Pelicans have told Ingram that they are not interested in giving him a max extension, so a trade could happen.