Dejounte Murray Rumors

There is a growing sentiment that the Pelicans would prefer to move one — if not both — of the contracts attached to Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray. Poole, a healthy DNP in the Pelicans’ last two games, is having an awful season, and keeping him on the floor has been difficult for a team fighting to establish a defensive identity. Along with his defensive struggles, Poole is shooting 37 percent from the field, the second-lowest shooting percentage of anyone this season with at least 300 field goal attempts. Poole still has one year and $34 million left on his deal after this season, a point of major criticism for the Pelicans after they traded for him last summer.

New York Times

Haliburton’s village has grown in other ways, too. Players who have suffered the same injury often reach out to each other to offer advice and support. So throughout his recovery, Haliburton has been in touch with a new kind of brotherhood: Celtics star Jayson Tatum, future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant and Pelicans All-Star Dejounte Murray. Some of them he already knew well; others became more recently bonded by the shared experience. Durant, who suffered an Achilles tear during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, after he returned from a calf strain, was one of the first people Haliburton spoke with after his injury.

New York Times

“Me and Jayson talk a lot,” Haliburton said. “Dejounte has been great for me. We didn’t really have that cool of a relationship, it was just an NBA relationship, but Dejounte has checked on me so much since I’ve gotten hurt. “Dejounte’s just a solid dude and I appreciate him very much.” Tatum and Murray share advice, encouragement and status updates on their individual recoveries with Haliburton. They understand the isolation, the determination to get back and the anxiety that can creep in. Each is at a different phase of the road back but their shared routines make it easier for them to check on one another. “I think that this Achilles thing, it brings people closer together, and I think that’s important. And in the NBA, there’s a few of us going through the same thing and us being able to check on each other is important,” Haliburton said. “There’s guys in the NFL that have reached out to ask where I am in the process, and how have I been able to get through it.”

New York Times

Cyro Asseo: New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego during pregame vs Heat said “that he isn’t sure Dejounte Murray would be back this season” but says that they should “gain clarity” in a month or so as they’ll “get him back in their building.”

Twitter

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray hosted a Christmas toy giveaway for over 40 local families in United Way's RISE and Inspired Up programs. Dejounte gifted two families two cars to help them on their path to financial stability.

NBA.com

Milwaukee regularly called about Andrew Wiggins during his tenure in Golden State, league sources say. And the Bucks were also quite interested in Dejounte Murray, sources add, while Atlanta was holding the trade conversations that ultimately landed the former All-Star point guard on Bourbon Street.

open.substack.com

KC Johnson: Bulls list Isaac Okoro and Dalen Terry out and Kevin Huerter (illness) and Patrick Williams (wrist) questionable vs. Pelicans. Zion Williamson isn’t on injury report for New Orleans, who are without Jordan Poole, Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray. Kevon Looney is questionable.

x.com

Draymond Green: The Pelicans, you got Dejounte Murray out, Zion just went out. For the last three years, they haven't been able to stay healthy. And when you can't stay healthy in this league, you're fighting an uphill battle. When your best players aren't healthy, it's an uphill battle. Dejounte is still out. Dejounte is the leader of that team. Make no mistake about it. Just like any other team he's ever been on, Dejounte Murray is the leader of that team. You go find me any team of the NBA that loses their leader. See, in this league, we always want to make the best player the leader. So, everybody wants to make Zion the leader, but Zion isn't the leader. Dejounte Murray is the leader of that team. You go find me any team that lose their leader, and I'm going to find you a team that's most more than likely going to struggle.

YouTube

Dejounte Murray: 8 MONTHS DOWN….💪🏽 I Had To Learn How Walk Again. I Had To Learn How To Jump Again. Wow I’m Proud Of Me And I Do It For The LOVE And The Ones That Fall And Dont Believe It’s Possible To Get Up!!! 💯 #DM5🖤 ALL WORK

Twitter

Talks about the Pelicans’ trip to Melbourne began when Dyson Daniels — an Australian product — was playing for the club. He was traded to Atlanta in the deal that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans in 2024, but the Pelicans saw plenty of value in making the trip to Australia regardless. “Any time we get an opportunity to use the platform that we’ve been blessed to have and impact other people, especially by going to different countries, it’s an honor, really,” Green said. “Credit to the NBA, credit to our organization, all the folks in Australia. Because to put this on, it takes a lot. It just goes to show you the reach of the NBA and how global the game has become. So, we’re grateful to have this opportunity.”

Associated Press

Whenever we see an injury like that—as fans or people covering sports—our hearts go out to players for exactly those reasons. It’s so challenging. But you’re not the only one. Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard—they also went down. Have you reached out to them? Any kind of support group among you guys? Jayson Tatum: Yeah. The guy I’ve talked to the most is Dejounte Murray—he tore his in January or February. I talked to Dame. I talked to Tyrese. We all had the same injury, just at different stages. I’ve been in communication with Dame and Dejounte because they’re ahead of me. I ask, “How did it feel when you first got out of the boot? When you started walking? When you got back on the court?” They’ve been really helpful. Tyrese is a few weeks after me, but we’ve all been talking—just rooting each other on. We all want the best for one another because we’re in the same boat. We understand exactly what each other is going through.

YouTube

Oh No He Didn't: Shams: "He's making progress. He's doing a lot better. Every single day, he's doing a little bit more. I would look at right after New Years as to where Dejounte Murray can start to pinpoint when he could make his return"

x.com

In terms of Dejounte, any hopes of him playing anytime soon? (Murray had season-ending surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon on Jan. 31). Willie Green: He’s working, man. He’s back on the floor. He’s doing his rehab stuff. So, he’s doing everything he needs to do to put himself in a position to be ready when he’s ready. But we won’t push that. That’ll be a discussion that happens collectively. Right now, it’s about his leadership. Even though he’s not playing, he’ll be leading and he’ll be in practices with the guys. Then when he’s ready, that’ll be a discussion that happens a little later.

Andscape

Dejounte Murray: 6 MONTHS AND THIS SH*T FEEL LIGHT!!! 😁 I Catch Back Up With Y’all In A Few!!! 😤😈 #DM5🖤

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