The New Orleans Pelicans confirmed on Friday, November 13 that Dejounte Murray’s representatives had requested a trade. The team said it would evaluate potential opportunities in the organization’s best interest, publicly acknowledging the request after reports about the guard’s future.
A confirmed request, with a deal still to be arranged
The statement was published at 4:41 p.m. Central Standard Time, or 6:41 a.m. Beijing time on November 14. It set out the player’s request and the team’s intention to assess opportunities, with no destination or specific agreement announced.
The 30-year-old guard is represented by Klutch Sports. He was ruled out of Friday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a left ankle sprain. Coach Jamahl Mosley said he had been told Murray was not at the Smoothie King Center.
Injuries interrupted the move from Atlanta
New Orleans acquired Murray from the Atlanta Hawks in June 2024 for two first-round picks, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and E.J. Liddell. Murray had just averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds for Atlanta and had been an All-Star in 2022.
David Griffin, then the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, wanted his playmaking and ball-handling alongside Zion Williamson. Murray’s first season was quickly disrupted by a broken hand in the 2024 opener and a season-ending Achilles injury in January 2025.
Across three seasons, Murray has played 54 games for New Orleans, averaging 16.6 points, 6.6 assists and 5.9 rebounds. In nine appearances this season, he has averaged 13.4 points on 41.9% shooting, with the Pelicans going 1-8.
The contract and the team’s next steps
Murray is earning $32.8 million this season and holds a $30.8 million player option for next season. No timetable has been announced for resolving the request.
Asked about the demand during the team’s losing streak, Mosley focused on the players continuing to compete. He said the recent performances had fallen short of the approach the team wanted and spoke about recovering the standard shown in training camp and preseason.
