The New Orleans Pelicans aren't exactly a hot destination for free agents, so some of the best players in franchise history have been acquired through the draft or trade. Former Pelicans swingman Josh Hart poked fun at the squad recently, saying no player would be excited to be heard that he was traded to the Pelicans.
Dejounte Murray snapped back at the remark, as the former Atlanta Hawks guard said he has been smiling since New Orleans landed him nearly two months ago.
Happy to be away from ATL
Maybe Murray is ecstatic to be starting anew in "The Big Easy" because he apparently didn't have a grand time working for his previous employer, the Atlanta Hawks.
Playing alongside an elite point guard in Trae Young should have made his life easier, but that didn't seem to be the case. Murray took veiled shots at the Hawks sometime after the move to New Orleans, stating that they limited him and didn't put emphasis on defense, where he was best.
Numbers-wise, the former San Antonio Spurs first-round pick looked to be at home in Atlanta, as he averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in the previous two seasons. However, he doesn't seem to have fond memories with the Hawks.
Related: "I see now! You're trying to keep your distance" - Ahmad Rashad on how Michael Jordan was always step ahead of his rivals
Exciting times for NOLA
It also helps that Murray is coming to a team filled with talented players across various positions. Leading the charge is Zion Williamson, who has the potential to be a superstar as long as he can remain healthy. The roster also has veteran professional scorer CJ McCollum, defensive specialist Herb Jones, and rising star Trey Murphy III.
For a time, DJ is also teammates with Brandon Ingram. However, New Orleans might shipped the disgruntled star, who could be looking for a maximum extension, to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Cameron Johnson (from the Brooklyn Nets) and Walker Kessler.
This deal would open up more shot-creating opportunities for Murray, as Ingram is known more for being a ball-dominant scorer. In return, the Pelicans get a versatile forward who can shoot efficiently from outside and a needed young center who can rebound well and offer elite rim protection. It's worth noting that the organization also received a trade exception.
Only time will tell if New Orleans can turn all those talents into wins. However, because they plays in the tough Western Conference, the squad has little room for error. The good news is that its recent trades may have raised both their floor and ceiling.
Related: Eddie Johnson blames Trae Young for Dejounte Murray’s departure from the Hawks: “They turned out not to be such good friends anymore”
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