A big question for the New Orleans Pelicans entering the 2025-26 season is when Dejounte Murray will return from his Achilles tear. Thankfully for Pelicans fans, ESPN’s Shams Charania just provided a massive update on Murray’s rehab process, via NBA Today.
"He is making progress. He is doing better. Every single day, he is doing a little more... I would look at right after New Years as to where Dejounte Murray could pinpoint to make his return"
Murray’s return to the court coming in the New Year was predictable, as he tore his Achilles on January 31st, and the timeline for return from an injury like this is typically 10-12 months. That doesn’t mean this news from Charania should be overlooked.
Often, players who suffer major injuries experience setbacks during their rehab process, which can delay their return. However, to hear that Murray is making good progress and is on track to return within his recovery window is a huge relief.
With a New Year's return now expected for him, the plan for the Pelicans is simple: stay within .500 through the first 30-35 games and then get Murray back and go on a run.
Can the Pelicans survive without Murray?
Without Murray, the Pelicans can still be a competitive team, but have a much lower ceiling than they do when he is healthy. Murray is the type of point guard this core has been lacking, someone who is an elite playmaker and can be trusted to run an offense.
That being said, Joe Dumars made moves this offseason to put the Pelicans in a position where they can survive without Murray. He added a ton of depth at point guard by bringing in Jordan Poole via trade and Jeremiah Fears through the draft.
JP is expected to start, and after a career year, I have all the faith in the world that he can hold things down while they await Murray’s return.
As far as Fears goes, he’ll likely split reps at the backup point guard spot with veteran Jose Alvarado, who is looking to build off a career season in 2024-25.
Outside of the depth New Orleans now has at point guard, Zion Williamson also appears to be in the best shape he’s been in since he was drafted in 2019. Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones are both fully healthy entering the 2025-26 season. New additions like Kevon Looney and Saddiq Bey bring versatility and experience that this group has lacked over the last few seasons.
All of these ingredients create a recipe that I believe enables the Pelicans to remain between the 11th and 8th seeds through the first half of the season—putting them in a prime position to make a playoff push when Murray returns in the New Year.