NBA

Pelicans acquire Dejounte Murray in blockbuster trade with Hawks

One day after the 2024 NBA Draft concluded, two teams pulled off a major trade.

The Pelicans acquired Dejounte Murray in a blockbuster swap with the Hawks, according to multiple reports.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, New Orleans is sending two first-round picks (2025 and 2027) along with Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels.

The 2025 first-round pick acquired in the deal comes via the Los Angeles Lakers, while the 2027 pick will be the least favorable of a 2027 first-round pick from either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Pelicans, Wojnarowski reported.

Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray is going to the Pelicans. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Murray, an All-Star during the 2021-22 season, averaged a career-high 22.5 points this past season.

The 27-year-old is set to begin a four-year extension — that he signed last July — worth $114 million this coming season.

The deal will see Murray — who made $64 million across the previous four seasons — make around $25 million this upcoming year with gradual increases until his player option for 2027-28, which is north of $31 million.

Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) dunks the ball on Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half during a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at United Center.
Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) dunks the ball on Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half during a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at United Center. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Murray was originally moved for three first-rounders when the Hawks acquired him from the Spurs in a summer of 2022 deal.

In the experiment with Murray and Trae Young in the backcourt, the Hawks were 41-41 in 2022-23, pushing the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics to six games in the first round before being eliminated.

In 2023-24, the Hawks finished 36-46 and were eliminated in the play-in round, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

Murray, who turns 28 in September, will be entering his eighth NBA season as he makes his return to the Western Conference.