No one may be higher on the New Orleans Pelicans going into the 2026-27 season than the New Orleans Pelicans. After an offseason of minor roster shake-ups coming off a 26-win season, the Pelicans seem extremely confident that Jamahl Mosley is the right coach to lift this group to new heights. One of the most crucial pieces in a successful season for New Orleans is Dejounte Murray. The veteran point guard is set for his first healthy season in the Big Easy and recently shared some thoughts going into the season with ClutchPoints.
There’s a lot to digest from this interview, like Murray talking about his return last season, the Pelicans finishing as a top-six seed, his mentality, and much more. But what stood out most was his comments about individual success.
“...The goal is to make the playoffs. Obviously, you’ve always got your individual goals. But if you’re a top six team in the NBA, then you guys are all doing something really well individually. So the main goal is to keep it team-first. And that’s to get to the playoffs and the rest will take care of itself,” said Murray.
This quote exemplifies why I have been a consistent Dejounte Murray defender and believe no matter what path this season takes, he’s someone who has to stick around for the long haul. That kind of messaging from your veteran point guard shows leadership and fills a void this team has lacked outside of him. It puts everyone in line and fits what can make this team its best: using its depth to play as a team and win games.
Murray's leadership is an X-factor
We saw it last season when the Pelicans entered the year with talk of Zion Williamson becoming more of a leader and taking the next step franchise players often do. But nothing came of it—New Orleans was still missing vocal leadership that teams that haven’t been successful together or are young need. And when Murray returned after the New Year, it was clear they finally had that leadership. They had someone who was going to command the offense on the court and offer guidance off the court for players like Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
Sure, you can point to DeAndre Jordan as a veteran leader, and that’s totally fair. But a veteran's message always hits harder when that player is still playing at an incredibly high level.
With a new head coach arriving, having a player like Murray who can be an extension of Mosley on the court is going to be very valuable whether this team is winning or losing games.
Murray has seen just about everything during his NBA career. He was drafted into a winning organization with the Spurs, where he grew from a high-level defensive guard into an All-Star. He has played in playoff series, served as a co-star alongside Trae Young in Atlanta, and overcome major adversity while recovering from multiple significant injuries. Those experiences matter in the grand scheme of an 82-game season plus potential play-in or playoffs.
They matter even more for a team like the Pelicans, whose best player hasn’t even played a playoff game in his soon-to-be eight-year NBA career.
I can’t say I believe Murray will reach his top-six seed goal this season while leading this Pelicans team. But his messaging as this team's leader is so crucial to what happens in the 2026-27 season and beyond for the New Orleans Pelicans.
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