"Today, Dejounte Murray's representatives informed us of his request to be traded," the Pelicans said in a statement Friday. "We will evaluate potential trade opportunities that are in the best interest of our organization."
Murray has made it clear to the organization that he is ready to play a key role in meaningful basketball elsewhere, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Stats so far this year - 9gms 31mpg
13.4ppg 4.4apg 4.6rpg 1.6spg 0.6bpg
43.1% FG 11.6 FGA 29.6% 3PT 3.0 3PTA
92.6% FT 3.0 FTA with 2.3 turnovers per game
53.1% TS
I don't know how much demand he expects there to be for him out there. PG who needs the ball in his hands and cannot play off the ball. Bad shooter. Inefficient. Teams aren't exactly queuing up for PGs with that profile.
Ideas(1) I Quickley for D Murray
Quickley is injury prone. Toronto has not been able to rely on him. Maybe Toronto would be interested on gambling on Dejounte Murray instead. NOP gets a replacement guard who can start or be a 6th man behind Jeremiah Fears. A good outside shooter.
(2) Is there something CLE could do?
Is Harden kaput? Is it time to move on? D Murray is too bad a shooter to work with P Watson, E Mobley, and J Allen. So J Allen or P Watson would likely have to get moved as well as Harden to add another shooter to the lineup. Move Mobley to center. Try to play quicker basketball.
(3) Jalen Green for D Murray
Jalen Green would be the best singular young talent NOP could hope to get for Murray. He is not working out in PHX and has issues in his game but also has genuine talent.
PHX would get to rebalance their lineup. D Murray and D Booker at guards with Miles Bridges and Dillon Brooks at forward alongside Mark Williams at center. Give PHX a true PG.
(4) Suggs for D Murray
I don't think this is worth doing for ORL but I could see them trying to add a playmaking guard in Murray in the hopes that he could better open up their offense. ORL do desperately need more dribble penetration and passing / playmaking. However, I think it would be more of a lateral move for them given their collective lack of shooting with Murray would add to.
Suggs is the best proven player who could be a long term fixture for NOP that I can think of so far.