Pelicans Acquire Dejounte Murray: A No-Brainer Move
In their quest to keep up with the loaded Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans have made a significant trade before the start of free agency. The team has acquired Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., E.J. Liddell, and two first-round picks.
For the Pelicans, this trade is a no-brainer considering what they gave up for Murray. While Murray’s defensive impact in Atlanta didn’t quite match what he achieved during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, his ability to effectively defend remains intact. Despite playing on a poor defensive team, Murray’s quickness, athleticism, and anticipation skills make him a valuable addition to the Pelicans’ defense. Last season, the team finished sixth in the league in defensive rating and Murray is more than capable of helping maintain that ranking.
However, the key for the Pelicans will be how Murray fits into their offense. While they had a decent offense last season, ranking 11th overall, there were times when it fell short. In particular, the team struggled to generate offense in clutch situations, finishing with the fifth-worst offense in such scenarios. Murray, who excelled in clutch-time scoring, can provide a boost in this area and help turn CJ McCollum into more of a scorer than a lead guard.
Another important factor for the Pelicans is figuring out what’s next with Brandon Ingram. As he enters the final year of his contract, Ingram is seeking a long-term, max deal that the Pelicans seem hesitant to give. With Murray now on board, the team has some flexibility in determining their next move with Ingram. If they decide to trade him, they still have plenty of offensive firepower with Murray, McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Zion Williamson.
Overall, the Pelicans’ acquisition of Dejounte Murray is a smart move that bolsters their defense and provides potential solutions for their offensive struggles. With the right adjustments and decisions regarding Ingram’s future, this trade could greatly benefit the team in their quest to contend in the Western Conference.
Hawks Acquire Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and Draft Picks: A Questionable Move
On the other side of the trade, the Atlanta Hawks’ decision to acquire Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., E.J. Liddell, and draft picks raises some questions. While it’s clear that the Hawks are looking to improve their future by acquiring draft picks, the value they received in return for Dejounte Murray seems underwhelming.
Daniels, a third-year guard, has shown potential as a defender but lacks offensive prowess. His shooting ability is a major concern, and he doesn’t contribute much in terms of scoring or playmaking. Additionally, Daniels has struggled with injuries, missing a considerable number of games in his first two seasons. Although he’s still young and has time to develop, his lack of offensive skills and injury history raise doubts about his long-term value.
Larry Nance Jr., while a solid backup forward, doesn’t address any pressing needs for the Hawks unless they make additional moves to reshuffle their frontcourt options. As for E.J. Liddell, who played only eight games in his rookie season, his impact remains uncertain.
It appears that the primary motivation behind this trade for the Hawks was to acquire more draft picks. In addition to the picks they received in this trade, they will also get the lesser of the Pelicans and Bucks picks in 2027. However, it’s worth noting that both teams are expected to be successful in those years, which means the pick will likely fall in the low-to-mid 20s range. Furthermore, the Hawks still owe two picks to the Spurs in 2025 and 2027, as well as a pick swap in 2026.
Overall, this trade seems like a case of the Hawks selling low on a talented guard. While it’s possible that Daniels could develop into a strong defender and make the trade look better in the future, the immediate return for Dejounte Murray appears underwhelming. The Hawks will need to make additional moves to address their needs and maximize the value they received in this trade.