A name that hasn't been mentioned in some time is Dejounte Murray, who has spent the start of this season watching from the sidelines as he rehabs a torn Achilles, which he suffered last January. Marc Stein recently mentioned Murray as someone the Milwaukee Bucks could pursue if the 29-year-old point guard becomes available later this winter.
Before Stein's report, Murray's name was last mentioned in the summer, when ESPN insider Shams Charania said his likely return would be sometime in the New Year.
Initially, this seemed like great timing, as if the Pelicans could hold on to a play-in spot. Murray could return and give them a boost, helping them make a late-season push for the playoffs. Obviously, with the Pelicans now 5-22, the chances of that second-half playoff push seem extremely unlikely.
The New Orleans Pelicans could very well be sellers at this year's trade deadline, as rumors suggest they are listening to offers on Zion Williamson. On top of that, their two lottery picks from the 2025 NBA draft, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears, have been incredible and may make the front office feel more inclined to shift toward a rebuild centered around them.
If the Pelicans do decide to become sellers as deadline season approaches, moving on from Murray could be the next logical move.
Pelicans can take advantage of the Bucks’ desperation
Milwaukee is in a tough place financially, but unless they try to add another All-Star-caliber player, Giannis Antetokounmpo could be as good as gone. In the modern NBA, Murray's $30 million salary is not a hard one to match in trades, meaning from a financial standpoint, acquiring him could be a great addition for the Bucks.
While I don't think Murray would be Milwaukee's first choice, especially with him coming off an injury, he could become the Bucks' only choice. It also wouldn't be hard for a front office to talk themselves into trading for Murray, as he's an All-Star-level player when healthy and can be trusted running a playoff team's offense.
For the Pelicans, it could also be an easy way to get out of the remaining four years on Murray's contract. Trading Murray’s contract once seemed next to impossible, given that he is a guard approaching 30 and returning from a major injury, but the Bucks’ desperation could offer New Orleans a clean out.
Getting Murray's contract off the books would provide the cap flexibility needed to reset the roster and fully commit to building around the team's two young pillars, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.