Should the New Orleans Pelicans try to trade for Dejounte Murray?

Should the New Orleans Pelicans try to trade for Dejounte Murray?

First off, I should say that the Pelicans do not need a player like Murray. They showed last season that a traditional point guard is not necessary, and they already have three guys who are perfectly capable of running the offense in McCollum, Ingram and Zion.

But Murray would give them yet another guy who can drop 20 a game, and he is also a creator who averaged over nine assists while adding eight rebounds and two steals per game.

He and CJ McCollum would be one of the best backcourts in the NBA and the Pelicans would run out a starting five that might be the best in the league:

• Dejounte Murray
• CJ McCollum
• Brandon Ingram
• Zion Williamson
• Jonas Valanciunas

You’re looking at well over a 100 points a game right there, with a lineup that could match up favorably with anyone.

The big BUT here is the name you no longer see in the starting five, All-Rookie Herb Jones who has already proven himself to be one of the best wing defenders in the league. Murray is a good defender himself, but he’s not as versatile and the Pels would be sacrificing some of their size, especially if Jones were included in the trade.

There is also the issue of salary, as Murray is set to get a huge pay raise the year after Zion signs his extension, so this would be one of the most expensive starting units in the league. Part of the reason Herb is so valuable is that he is on a minimum deal, so even though Murray’s salary is very reasonable, it’s still way more than Herb’s and about to get even more expensive.

Dejounte Murray would be a great addition to any team, but he’d be a huge luxury for the Pelicans, one that they really don’t need and probably can’t afford.