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The New Orleans Pelicans are heading into a pivotal offseason where big moves need to be made to get the team to the next level after getting swept in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Recent moves have gotten the team to this point, but it’s clear the Pelicans won’t be more than a first-round-and-out playoff team without doing something drastic, and one report suggests they have a big name on their radar.
Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune reported that the Pelicans are higher on Dejounte Murray than they are on Trae Young when it comes to a potential trade, and said “If the Pelicans reengaged the Hawks, they could look to pry away Murray or Young. Even though Young is the more talented player, the Pelicans seem to hold more interest in Murray.”
The New Orleans Pelicans reportedly hold Dejounte Murray in higher regard than they do Trae Young, per @cclark_13
“If the Pelicans reengaged the Hawks, they could look to pry away Murray or Young. Even though Young is the more talented player, the Pelicans seem to hold more… pic.twitter.com/UMydsr70aQ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 26, 2024
Clark added, “The 6’5″ Murray is not as much of a defensive liability as the 6’1” Young can be. He is also on a cheaper contract; Murray will make $25.5 million next season, while Young is owed $43 million.”
The Murray and Young pairing has not worked out for the Hawks, and it is looking like an inevitability that at least one of them will need to be moved this offseason.
The Pelicans have an excess of young talent but lack the point guard who can harmonize said talent throughout the roster and help it translate to winning basketball.
It’s unclear what the Hawks would want in return, but the Pelicans have plenty of assets to get a deal done if Murray is their guy.
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