Dejounte Murray has requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, with his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, and team officials beginning to work toward finding him a new home, ESPN's Shams Charania first reported. The Pelicans confirmed the request in a statement, saying they will "evaluate potential trade opportunities that are in the best interest of our organization."
The request came less than two days after Murray, 30, posted on X following the Pelicans' 145-111 home loss to the Nets on Wednesday, pointing out that the team was 1-8 with him in the lineup this season and 3-0 without him. He wrote that "THE 'SABOTAGE' IS REAL!!" in a post since deleted. Murray reposted Charania's report on Friday afternoon. Pelicans forward Zion Williamson also publicly criticised the team's effort after a loss to the Nets, urging players and coaches to look at themselves and ask whether they had given real effort.S1S2
Murray's tenure with New Orleans has been troubled. He was traded by the Hawks in July 2024 for a package headlined by Dyson Daniels and two first-round picks, and Daniels has since emerged as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Murray has appeared in just 54 games for the Pelicans, suffering a fractured hand in his debut before tearing his Achilles in January 2025. The team, which hired Jamahl Mosley as head coach in the offseason, has lost four straight games, including a 51-point drubbing by the Warriors on Monday.S1
The Phoenix Suns have expressed interest in acquiring Murray, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, and Murray's interest in moving to Phoenix is well known, though the teams have reportedly not yet engaged in trade talks. Suns reporter John Gambadoro noted that Phoenix's bigger need is defensive rebounding and frontcourt help rather than point guard, and that Collin Gillespie would likely start should the team not land a veteran lead guard. Team owner Mat Ishbia is friends with Murray's agent, Rich Paul, who represents several other clients on the roster. Commentators have also floated a swap involving Suns guard Jalen Green, who is making $36.2 million this season with a $36 million player option next year.S1S2
Murray is making $32.8 million this season and holds a $30.8 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign, following a signing of a $114-plus million veteran extension in 2023. Whether the Pelicans can find a suitable deal remains to be seen, as the team has said only that it will evaluate opportunities.S1S3
