Dejounte Murray validates Pelicans fans’ feelings after Jeremiah Fears’ career night

Since returning from injury following the All-Star break, Dejounte Murray has been the truest form of a leader for this young New Orleans Pelicans team. Whether it's the way he commands and conducts the offense, or the way he coaches guys up from the sidelines, his impact hasn't gone unnoticed. In Tuesday night's 156-137 win over the Utah Jazz, Murray didn't log a minute, but rookie guard Jeremiah Fears sure did.

The Oklahoma product scored a career-high 40 points, to go along with five rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Fears dominated this game from start to finish, and no one was prouder postgame than Murray. The veteran guard was asked to comment on Fears’ performance, and he gave an incredibly simple answer: "The Future man. The Future," said Murray.

The second half of the season has been incredible for Fears, as since he made the switch from a starter to backup, he has been playing with incredible control and poise for a rookie guard. Fears developing these skills has opened the door for him to have big-time offensive nights like on Tuesday night when his number is called as a starter.

Having the team's current lead guard and on-court leader co-sign Fears as the future of the franchise validates what fans have been feeling about him for months.

Jeremiah Fears is making his case as the Pelicans’ future

With Zion Williamson's potential on the way out this summer, as a pivot towards a rebuild could be on the horizon in the Big Easy, it was unclear who would carry the mantle as the franchise player going forward. New Orleans has never been a major free agent destination, and finding stars through the draft has already been a struggle, making parting with Zion a tough call.

But now, with Fears breaking out in the tail end of his rookie season and showing the qualities teams look for in franchise players, a new era of Pelicans basketball may be near.

Being a star and franchise leader isn't about what's done on the court—it's also about being invested in the fans and community, especially in a smaller market like New Orleans. All season, this is something Fears has embodied. Despite his career night, he still stopped to spend time with the fans on his way to the locker room.

The 2025-26 season has been a weird one for the Pelicans. Having a record that reflects a tank but not owning your own draft pick can be depressing for a fan base. But for months, Jeremiah Fears has been a bright spot and looked like the savior for this franchise, and Dejounte Murray's comments solidified those thoughts.