The Pelicans made a major upgrade at shooting guard on Friday, acquiring the services of Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Atlanta is trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, sources told ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
After a season in which the Pels were quickly defeated by the upstart Thunder in four games, Willie Green’s team was in desperate need of a change on the defensive line. They found their target in Murray, whose slim frame, offensive effectiveness and defensive potential proved tempting to many teams.
The New Orleans acquisition didn’t come cheap. Murray got a sizable return for rebuilding Atlanta, as the Hawks secured the services of Australian forward Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr., as well as two first-round picks, one in 2025 (via the Lakers) and one in 2027 (the least favorable of the Bucks’ and Pelicans’ picks).
Murray averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals on shooting percentages of 45.9/36.3/79.4 in 2023-24.
Details of the Dejounte Murray trade
Pelicans receive:
- Dejounte Murray
The falcons receive:
- Dyson Daniels
- Larry Nance Jr.
- 2025 first-round pick (via Lakers)
- 2027 first-round pick (least favorable from Bucks-Pelicans)
Murray’s name had long been present in trade talks, with reports linking him to the Warriors and Lakers, among others. His time in Atlanta comes to an unceremonious end two years after he began working there, joining the Hawks from San Antonio in hopes of forming a formidable partnership with Trae Young.
Murray and Young put up impressive total stats during their two years together. However, postseason success eluded Atlanta during that time; despite their best efforts, the Hawks managed two first-round exits during the Murray-Young era.
Despite his former franchise’s aversion to going deep in the playoffs, Murray still held quite a bit of cachet in league circles. New Orleans had to break out the duffel bag to add him to its roster led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, parting ways with Daniels, a highly rated wing who possesses All-Defense-type potential.
The Pels also gave up forward Larry Nance Jr. and first-round picks in the 2025 and 2027 drafts.
Trading Murray could very well trigger a fire sale for the Hawks, who are believed to be interested in retaining only incoming No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson. Everyone else, including Young, is seen as expendable.
Dejounte Murray contract details
Murray signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Hawks ahead of the 2023-24 season. His deal begins in 2024-25 and includes a $30.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
Murray will be an unrestricted free agent in the 2027 or 2028 offseason.
| Season | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $17,714,000 |
| 2024-25 | $24,799,600 |
| 2025-26 | $26,783,600 |
| 2026-27 | $28,767,536 |
| 2027-28 | $30,751,504 (PO) |
Dejounte Murray Statistics
2023-24 season
- 22.5 points per game
- 6.4 assists per game
- 5.3 rebounds per game
- 1.4 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 2.6 turnovers per game
- 45.9 percent field goals
- 36.3 percent on three-point shots
- 79.4 percent in free throws
Career
- 15.4 points per game
- 5.8 rebounds per game
- 5.3 assists per game
- 1.4 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 1.8 turnovers per game
- 45.8 percent field goals
- 34.5 percent on three-point shots
- 78.7 percent free throws