Dejounte Murray trade grades: Pelicans land All-Star guard in major deal with Atlanta Hawks, per reports

The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly trading All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, a 2025 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick, per ESPN. The Hawks had long been rumored to part with either Murray or Trae Young, and now it appears they’ve made a decision, and Murray will be joining the Pelicans to play alongside Zion Williamson.

With Murray departing the Hawks, Atlanta has now officially moved on from the short-lived backcourt of Young and Murray. The duo played just two seasons together in Atlanta, which amounted to a first-round playoff exit in Year 1, and a disappointing 36-46 record this past season. Despite the poor showing from the Hawks this season, Murray averaged a career-high 22.5 points, to go along with 6.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds. He also shot nearly 46% from the floor, and a near career-high 36.3% from deep on over seven attempts per game. 

It’s a solid move for the Pelicans, and seemed to be a necessary one for the Hawks, so let’s sort through this deal and see where the value is on both sides. Here are our grades for the Murray trade.

New Orleans Pelicans: B+

The Pelicans have really needed someone to bolster their backcourt with CJ McCollum, and they’re getting that with Murray. With him in the fold, it will allow McCollum to move back to his more natural position of shooting guard. Murray can have the ball in his hands more, and McCollum can play the role he was so successful at with the Trail Blazers alongside Damian Lillard. 

The move also provides the Pelicans with another scoring threat next to McCollum and Zion Williamson, and potentially Brandon Ingram, depending on his future with the team. Ingram has long been rumored as a summer trade candidate, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that New Orleans is hoping to find common ground on a contract extension with Ingram. If he does stay with the Pelicans, it will be interesting to see how all those guys share the ball, because as we saw with the Hawks, Murray is better when he has the ball…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/dejounte-murray-trade-grades-pelicans-land-all-star-guard-in-major-deal-with-atlanta-hawks-per-reports/

Author : Jasmyn Wimbish

Publish date : 2024-06-29 00:00:25

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