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Dejounte Murray Requests Trade from New Orleans Pelicans
Confirmed
In Short: Dejounte Murray, the 2022 All-Star guard, has requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, according to reports from ESPN and CBS Sports.
Dejounte Murray, the 2022 All-Star guard, has requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, according to reports from ESPN and CBS Sports. Murray's representatives informed the team of his desire to leave on Friday, marking the first trade request of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Murray's request comes after a challenging start to the season for the Pelicans, who have suffered consecutive lopsided losses, including a 145-111 home defeat against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday and a 51-point loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday.
The Pelicans have been working with Murray's agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, to find a resolution. Murray's representatives have reportedly started exploring potential trades, with sources suggesting a 'problem for problem' type of deal.
Murray, who signed a four-year, $114.2-million extension with the Atlanta Hawks in 2023, is under contract through the 2027-28 season. He has averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds for the Pelicans this season, shooting just 41.9% from the floor.
The Pelicans' statement read, 'Today, Dejounte Murray’s representatives informed us of his request to be traded.' Murray's trade request is particularly notable given his significant injuries this season, including a fractured left hand in the 2024-25 season opener and a ruptured right Achilles tendon in January 2025.
Sources have suggested that Murray has 'strong interest' in joining the Phoenix Suns, who have struggled with their starting unit this season. Murray's performance this season has been below his career averages, with 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 43.1% shooting.
Murray's trade request has also been shared on social media, with ESPN insider Shams Charania reporting the news and Murray reposting the report on X. Murray previously responded to a post highlighting the Pelicans' struggles by suggesting someone was working against him.
The Pelicans are now faced with the task of finding a suitable trade partner for Murray, who is making $32.8 million this season and has a player option for $30.8 million next season. The team's next steps will likely involve exploring potential trade packages and discussing options with Murray's representatives.
What this adds
Murray's trade request adds to the Pelicans' ongoing challenges, including recent injuries and poor performance.
The Pelicans have not yet established a specific trade destination or timeline for resolving the situation.
What's confirmed
- The New Orleans Pelicans have another major issue to address as guard Dejounte Murray has reportedly requested a trade from the organization, as first reported Friday by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
- New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray wants a trade from the franchise, and his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, and team officials have started working on a resolution.
- He has averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists and 5.9 rebounds for the Pelicans, shooting just 41.9% from the floor.
- "Today, Dejounte Murray’s representatives informed us of his request to be traded," the Pelicans said in a statement.
- Murray, 30, was ruled out Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a left ankle sprain.
- Murray’s first season in New Orleans was disrupted by significant injuries, as he fractured his left hand in the 2024/25 season opener, causing him to miss 17 games, then ruptured his right Achilles tendon in January 2025.
What's still developing
- If you had Dejounte Murray on your bingo card, congratulations.
- Three destinations make some degree of immediate sense.
- According to Amick, sources from both teams recently insisted there had been no talks between the two sides, though Amick acknowledges could change now that Murray’s trade request has gone public.
- Both sides have begun exploring ways to address the situation, although no agreement or potential trade destination has been reported.
- Now that Murray has officially asked out, Phoenix needs to at least kick the tires on trade packages to address a starting unit that’s frankly been a convoluted mess to begin the 2026-27 season.
- Murray has already effectively been replaced in New Orleans by second-year point guard Jeremiah Fears, and with Murray wanting out, the Phoenix Suns should certainly be in the conversation as a possible fit.
- His 47.1% effective field goal percentage ranks seventh on the Pelicans, according to StatRankings.
Sources
- CBS Sportslink
- Crescent City Sportslink
- Espnlink
- Fadeaway Worldlink
- Fox Newslink
- Hoops Rumorslink
- Hoops Wirelink
- NBA Trade Rumorslink
- RG.orglink
- Sportsnet.calink
- TalkBasket.netlink
- Valley of the Sunslink
- Yardbarkerlink
- theScorelink
- NBA on ESPN — video link
- As It Stands NBA — video link
- Prime Sports Daily — video link
- Extra SROS — video link
- Pelicans Flock Report Podcast — video link
- ZayMoolaSportsPodcast — video link