When the New Orleans Pelicans traded for Dejounte Murray, the reaction from the NBA world wasn't what normally follows a playoff team adding an All-Star. Rather than the usual cries of "super team" balanced by deserved praise for the move, the Pelicans were met with mostly confusion and a little bit of disdain for trading with the Atlanta Hawks for Murray.
While Murray is an objectively great player, there was reason for concern when New Orleans dealt for him. After all, he's a score-first on-ball guard who thrives in the midrange and as a slasher. Those qualities overlap significantly with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum, all of whom will be sharing the court with Murray a lot next season.
That being said, acquiring Murray was still an infusion of talent for a team that needed to find a way to get their roster over the hump. Factor in the cost, which was a steal compared to what the Hawks paid to get him in the first place, and the deal was a no-brainer. Sometimes, though, the obvious move isn't always the best one. But, if Dejounte Murray can return to his All-Star form in this one area, it could turn out to be the perfect acquisition to take the Pelicans roster over the top.
Dejounte Murray has to become an elite perimeter defender again in New Orleans
A defensive reputation is hard to shake in the NBA, both ways. A young player who starts out as a suspect defender will likely carry that label throughout his career, even if he markedly improves down the stretch. The same goes for a prospect who shows his defensive chops early on. Someone who consistently clamps down on opposing ballhandlers and attackers in the first few years will always be viewed as a plus defender, even if his effort and effectiveness wane later.
Dejounte Murray rightfully earned his reputation as a perimeter pest during his days with the San Antonio Spurs. Using his elite length and athleticism, he flew around the court and constantly hounded his assignments. He was selected as an All-Star replacement during the 2021-22 NBA season largely in part due to his resume on the defensive end of the court, as he finished the season the league leader in steals per game.
With the Atlanta Hawks, however, his defensive impact significantly shrunk. Due to a combination of a weaker defensive supporting cast, a heavier offensive load, lack of motivation, and overall subpar effort, Murray wasn't half the defender that he was in San Antonio.
Playing alongside a 5'10" defensive sieve in Trae Young on a disappointing team likely impacted his consistency and exertion. The Pelicans brass likely factored his defensive potential into the equation when they decided to trade for him, however.
While Murray is an excellent on-ball scorer and apt passer, the Pelicans have a surplus of offensive creation and secondary playmaking. What they desperately need is another point-of-attack stopper to help alleviate their poor defenders like CJ, Zion, and BI (most of the time). If Murray can return to form, he'll give the Pelicans the ability to put CJ on the opponent's worst guard, which should swing things significantly for their team defense.
In New Orleans, Murray won't have the litany of excuses for poor defensive effort that he had in Atlanta. The Pelicans are expected to compete next season and beyond, they have plenty of scorers to shoulder the offensive burden, and they have capable defenders to support him. It's on Dejounte Murray to prove to the world why the Pelicans made the right choice in trading for him by returning to his ways as an elite perimeter defender.