Today, Dejounte Murray’s representatives informed us …

The New Orleans Pelicans announced on Friday their intention to pursue a trade for guard Dejounte Murray, following a request from his representatives at Klutch Sports. Murray's team informed the Pelicans that he had requested a move, prompting the team to explore potential trade options for the betterment of the organization.

The 30-year-old Murray missed Friday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a left ankle sprain, and Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed that Murray was not present at the Smoothie King Center. Murray's absence highlighted growing concerns within the team about his recent performance and the team's overall standing.

The Pelicans acquired Murray in a June 2024 trade with the Atlanta Hawks, receiving two first-round picks, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and E.J. Liddell. While initially praised for his defensive skills and playmaking abilities, Murray never fully lived up to the potential highlighted during the trade discussions. At the time of the trade, Murray had been a consistent contributor, averaging 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game in the previous season.

Murray's tenure with the Pelicans, however, has been marred by injuries. He suffered a hand injury during the season opener and then endured a season-ending Achilles injury in January 2025. Over the last three seasons, Murray has appeared in only 54 games for the Pelicans, averaging 16.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. His shooting percentages have been subpar, with a season-high of 41.9% and an average of 13.4 points per game in September.

The Pelicans have struggled without Murray, currently sitting at 1-8 in games with the injured player on the roster. His frustrations with the team became evident through several critical social media posts, which have been deleted. Murray criticized the team's performance, claiming, "THE 'SABOTAGE' IS REAL!" He expressed his commitment to the team's success, but his recent demands for a trade have raised questions about his future with the Pelicans.

Despite Murray's value to the team, the Pelicans are determined to explore trade options in order to strengthen their roster. Coach Mosley remains focused on addressing the current struggles and bringing the team back to its previous standard of performance. As the team gears up for a critical stretch of the season, the Murray trade saga continues to unfold.