On June 29, Beijing time, according to Shams, the New Orleans Pelicans reached a deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Pelicans sent Nance Jr., Liddell, Daniels, a 2025 first-round pick from the Lakers, and a 2027 first-round pick from the Bucks and Pelicans, and got the big-hearted player Dejounte Murray.
Murray is a player from the Spurs line, a tall guard with a height of 1.96 meters. The 27-year-old Murray played eight seasons in the NBA, with the 21-22 season being his final year with the Spurs.
In his final year at the Spurs, Murray has completed his metamorphosis. As a point guard, he averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 2 steals and 2.7 turnovers per game in the regular season, and was named an All-Star.
In the summer of 2022, Spurs were determined to rebuild. So they made a deal with the Hawks and sent Murray away in exchange for Gallinari and 2023, 2025, 2027 first-round picks and a 2026 draft swap.
After the change of owners, the backcourt duo of Murray and Trae Young did not bring success to the team. In the 22-23 season, Murray averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 boards, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game in the regular season, and 23 points, 7.2 boards, 6.8 assists and 2 steals per game in the playoffs, but the Hawks stopped in the first round.
In the 23-24 season, Murray averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game in the regular season, and the Hawks only achieved a 36-46 record, losing to the Bulls in the play-offs and stopping the playoffs.
With Trae Young's small stature no longer strong, Murray didn't seem to be able to help the team succeed, which led to the current deal, with Murray being sent to the Pelicans by the Hawks.
The Pelicans had some success last season, finishing the regular season with a 49-33 record and finishing seventh in the West to make the playoffs. Because of Zion's injury, Ingram was targeted by the defense and was swept by the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
With so much chip, the Pelicans turned the pieces into a whole in order to improve the team's organizational level and key ball ability. Last season, the Pelicans generally started from two players, Zion and Ingram, and they lacked a true point guard.
In addition, this team Ingram is overwhelmed with key shots and strained performance in the playoffs, and the Pelicans need to find a cold-blooded killer. And Murray, who scored many times in the 23-24 season, is a veritable big-hearted player.
Scene 1: Murray's quasi-lore magic
On 11/10/23, the Hawks challenged the Magic away, and in the last 42.8 seconds, Magic Wagner Jr. made a hook to help the Magic lead 119-117.
In the subsequent offensive round, Trae Young broke through the ball, and with 34.7 seconds left in the game, Murray, who was ambushed in the bottom corner, received the ball and shot a three-point shot, and hit it steadily. With Murray's quasi-stunner, the Eagles overtook the score 120-119 and finally won the game.
Scene 2: Murray's pull-up jump shot beats the Magic
On 1/18/24, the Hawks hosted the Magic, and Banchero hit a three-point shot in the last 9.2 seconds to help the Magic tie the score at 104-104.
In the ensuing offensive round, Murray ran all over the court with the ball, dribbling behind his back to trick Fultz. Fultz didn't miss his foot, but in the end, Murray broke through on the left and leaned on Fultz's body to hit the buzzer.
Scene 3: Murray quasi-kills the Heat
On January 20, 24, the Hawks challenged the Heat away, and in the last 30.2 seconds, Bogdan made two free throws, and the Hawks still trailed the Heat 106-108.
Then the Heat Herro missed a shot, and Murray took the defensive rebound and advanced from the backcourt with the ball. In the final 2.1 seconds, facing Caleb Martin's defense, Murray broke through the left side and hit a pull-up three-point shot to help the team overtake the score 109-108 and finally win the game.
With the acquisition of Murray, the Pelicans will receive a significant upgrade to their roster next season. They will be led by veteran McCollum with Ingram, Zion, Murray, Murphy, Jones five new generation of giants to attack the playoffs to further glory.