NBA Rumors: Dejounte Murray Traded to Pelicans from Hawks Ahead of 2024 Free Agency

The Atlanta Hawks have traded guard Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Murray later reacted to the trade with a post on X:

The 27-year-old Murray averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game for the Hawks in his eighth NBA season (second in Atlanta).

The 2021-2022 NBA All-Star landed with the Hawks after six seasons on the San Antonio Spurs. Atlanta notably dealt three first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027) and a 2026 pick swap. The team was clearly going all-in on a new backcourt partnership between Murray and point guard Trae Young, a more offensively-oriented player.

Unfortunately, the team didn't get it going under the duo's leadership. Atlanta went 41-41 in 2022-23 and fell to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Things got a little worse last season, which resulted in a 36-46 record and an immediate play-in tournament defeat.

There wasn't a shortage of trade rumors involving both Murray and Young last year and into the offseason with the Hawks unable to break through for a winning season.

In the end, Murray is out of town despite inking a four-year, $114.1 million extension (including a 2027-28 player option) during the 2023 offseason.

Murray joins a Pelicans team anchored by Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum. Brandon Ingram, who has been repeatedly linked with a trade out of New Orleans, could see his days with the team numbered in the wake of the trade.

Wojnarowski noted that the Pelicans view Murray as a player who can "generate offense late in games" and the team remains committed to Williamson and McCollum, although they're still "trying to find common ground" with an Ingram contract.

Despite winning 49 games during the 2023-24 season, New Orleans was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder as Williamson was unavailable due to a left hamstring strain.

The addition of Murray gives the Pelicans another lead ball-handler that can run head coach Willie Green's offense and ease the scoring burden on the 2019 No. 1 overall pick.