The New Orleans Pelicans have had a season filled mostly with downs and only a few ups. But it's been almost all ups since the return of Dejounte Murray, and Wednesday night was no different. The Pelicans moved to 7-4 since the All-Star break with a dominant win over the Toronto Raptors 122-111. Wednesday's win was another reminder of why Murray has to be one of the Pelicans' most important pieces going forward.
This game was supposed to be a homecoming for Brandon Ingram, who was playing in New Orleans for the first time since being traded last season, but Murray stole the night.
The Pelicans' lead guard had by far his best game since coming back from his Achilles injury, posting 27 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals. This performance also included a dagger three from Murray that involved dropping Raptors second-year guard Jamal Shead. As the three fell, Murray got in Shead's face and barked a bit, which had the Smoothie King Center rocking.
Dejounte Murray in his face pic.twitter.com/9zgfUSVMDT
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) March 12, 2026
Before Murray officially returned to the court with the Pelicans, he made it clear that even though the team was out of the playoff picture, every game he played in they would compete for the fans. Murray has come through on that promise.
The mentality shift this Pelicans team has taken in less than 10 games with Murray back suggests he is someone the front office should keep around for the long haul.
Dejounte Murray must remain part of the Pelicans' future
The Pelicans are a young group, and that was clear through the start of the season. Sure, they had veterans like DeAndre Jordan and Kevon Looney being voices from the sidelines, but they didn't have that voice on the court. Now they do, and the front office can't afford to change that.
I understand the Pelicans are teetering on the edge of being a rebuilding team, and trading Murray, especially given how strong he's looked, would likely yield a return to help the rebuild. However, when you have young guys like Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, and Trey Murphy III, you need a Dejounte Murray to organize and take control of situations. Should keeping Murray prevent the front office from moving on from Zion Williamson this summer? Heck no.
Moving players like Zion and Herb Jones to clear room for Queen to continue spreading his wings and for Saddiq Bey to do the same shouldn't mean blowing up everything.
When was the last time we saw a player bring the competitive edge and represent the city of New Orleans... Jrue Holiday?! What he is doing is a rarity, and New Orleans can't just let him go because they decide to part with other old-ish pieces. Unless Murray himself goes to Troy Weaver and Joe Dumars and says, 'trade me,' they shouldn't.
Obviously, it’s still unclear what New Orleans will do this summer, but one thing they must ensure is that Dejounte Murray is back in the Big Easy for another year.