Pelicans acquire All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from Hawks

In a significant move following the NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly acquired All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. This trade marks the first major transaction for the Pelicans post-draft, with ESPN confirming the acquisition on Friday. Murray's addition to the Pelicans' roster is expected to enhance their backcourt strength and improve their overall ability to create scoring opportunities. In exchange for Murray, the Pelicans sent two first-round picks, along with players Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels, to Atlanta. Dejounte Murray, who is coming off a standout season, played a pivotal role for the Hawks in the absence of three-time All-Star Trae Young due to injury. With an impressive average of 22.5 points per game and a career-best 201 3-pointers made during the 2023-24 season, Murray's performance caught the attention of the Pelicans. Despite high expectations when he joined Atlanta's backcourt alongside Young, the partnership did not yield the desired results, leading to Murray's move to New Orleans where he will team up with Brandon Ingram. The 27-year-old guard is set to earn an estimated $25.3 million for the upcoming 2024-25 season with the Pelicans. Notably, New Orleans faced challenges in closing out games last season, losing every game when trailing entering the fourth quarter. The trade involving Murray signifies the Pelicans' proactive approach to bolstering their roster and addressing key areas of improvement as they aim to enhance their competitiveness in the NBA. Fans can stay updated on the latest sports news by following Fox News Digital's coverage and subscribing to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.