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Why Dejounte Murray might be exactly who the Pelicans need
Dejounte Murray. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Why Dejounte Murray might be exactly who the Pelicans need

By Eric Smithling  |  Last updated Jul 9, 2024 9:24 PM ET

The Pelicans formally introduced guard Dejounte Murray on Tuesday, and the eight-year NBA veteran sounded right at home in his introductory news conference in the Big Easy.

This season, he could be precisely what the franchise needs to get over the hump.

New Orleans finished 2023-24 with a 49-33 record, its best since 2008-09. Despite its strong regular season, New Orleans faded down the stretch, going from contending for a top-four seed in early March to being swept by the Thunder in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs in April.

The Pels have a talented core, and Murray is the type of player who can push their young stars to greater heights.

After his news conference on Tuesday, WDSU contributor Shamit Dua declared Murray to be "the real deal and the type of person to push his teammates to a higher standard."

Murray, a 2021-22 All-Star in San Antonio, shared his excitement at partnering with Herb Jones. The duo could form one of the league's best defensive frontcourts.

"I want to be on the First-Team All-Defense with him," Murray said. 

The No. 29 overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, Murray led the league in steals in 2021-22 and was named to Second-Team All-Defense in his second year in the league.

"I'm a leader, natural-born leader," Murray added when discussing what he brings to the organization.

He also discussed his eagerness in partnering with forward Zion Williamson, who he described as "our superstar."

"I'm excited to push him to the next level because he has a bunch of levels he could reach," Murray added.

Williamson played in a career-high 70 games in 2023-24 and averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, five assists and 1.1 steals per game while making 57% of his field goal attempts.

He had 40 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a 110-106 play-in tournament loss to the Lakers, leaving with 3:13 left in the game with a hamstring injury.

If Murray coaxes more out of Williamson, the Pelicans could be a major player in the West in 2024-25.

He'll also help the team in end-of-game scenarios.

The Pelicans struggled in close games this past season, finishing 14-15 in clutch situations, defined by NBA.com as "the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points."

Murray finished ninth in the league in clutch points (106) last season and was an effective rebounder in those moments, too, finishing the season with 29 clutch rebounds, the 15th most in the league.

He's a seamless fit in the Pels rotation and could help the rising Western Conference contender reach their full potential.

Eric Smithling
Twitter/X Muck Rack

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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