The Pelicans’ success next season will likely hinge on the partnership between newly acquired Dejounte Murray and incumbent franchise player Zion Williamson. Murray wants to make Williamson an ever bigger threat, according to Brett Martel of The Associated Press.
“I told him I’m going to push him,” said Murray, who was officially dealt to the Pelicans over the weekend. “If I see something I think he can be better at, if he sees something to me, we’re going to be open to that. … I’m excited to push him to the next level because there are a bunch of levels he can reach.”
Murray’s name was prominent in the rumor mill prior to last season’s trade deadline. He made it known through his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, that the Pelicans appealed to him.
“One of the things Rich said to us was, ‘You really need to go try to get Dejounte Murray,'” said Pelicans executive VP David Griffin, per Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “We sort of laughed. We said, ‘We tried to do that at the trade deadline. We weren’t able to make something happen that made sense for both sides.’ But when he shared for us the excitement Dejounte had for our situation, it was really an eye-opening thing. It was meaningful to us.”
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- After getting waived by the Warriors, Chris Paul chose the Spurs despite his lack of a championship ring. Paul will likely return to a starting role with San Antonio and that was a deciding factor, according to Andrew Lopez on ESPN. “I want to play more than anything,” he said. Newly-acquired Harrison Barnes had a 10% trade bonus that he waived in order to help facilitate the deal involving the Kings, Spurs and Bulls. Barnes called it “a pretty easy decision,” adding, “It’s funny, with the new CBA, the trade kicker became more of a play than I was expecting, but I think the opportunity just to come here and to be able play for Pop (Gregg Popovich) and play with this group I think is exciting.”
- Klay Thompson said during his introductory press conference that the Mavericks are a perfect fit for him at this stage of his career, Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com relays. “Whether you play basketball or work in the corporate world, sometimes change can spur greatness and a new change of scenery can do wonders,” Thompson said. “And I’m very grateful for my time at Golden State. But I just felt like moving on could re-energize me and do something special for the rest of my career. … When I was watching the Mavs make a run for the championship, I just saw myself fitting in really well with this team. They looked like they had fun playing with each other and they played for each other. That was very attractive for me. That’s really all I needed to see.”
- Former Heat big man Orlando Robinson is on the Rockets’ Summer League roster, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel tweets. Robinson was waived on July 7 before his $2.1MM contract became guaranteed. He cleared waivers on Tuesday. Robinson appeared in 36 contests for Miami in 2023/24, averaging 2.8 points on a .500/.533/.760 shooting line. Robinson also chipped in 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per night.
- Rockets guard Amen Thompson, who is a member of the USA Select Team this summer, said Houston coach Ime Udoka is “reasonably hard” on his players, he told Sam Yip of HoopsHype. “He’s kind of similar to some coaches I’ve had in the past. The thing that’s different about him is he can get in the mix with us, like he’s a player,” he said. “I’ve never had a coach that played in the NBA. When he talks, I gotta listen because he’s been there. He’s reasonably hard on everybody. He doesn’t go crazy, but he’s reasonably hard.”
The Pelicans and Thunder right now are in the best position to join the list of NBA champions. The key will be health obviously and patience. Both teams have two scoring options and a mirage of defensive versatility. Adding Murray was huge. Instant talent upgrade. In the new NBA it is about accumulating as much versatility and talent as possible. Not as much building through positional need. They both could use some brüt strength off the bench but other than that they are well rounded rosters. Pelicans should keep Ingram or risk never finding another 20+ ppg ball handler who can defend adequately. Top 20 scoring talent does not grow on trees. And at the end of the day you need two top scoring options.
The Thunder? Yes, they’re on that list and if I picked a team today they’d be my favorite to win it all.
The Pelicans? They could, but at the moment they aren’t quite as good as Minnesota, Denver, Boston or OKC and still have some moves to make to get on that level.
OKC addressed some big needs with the trade for Caruso and the signing of Hartenstein. With those acquisitions and another year of experience for Holmgren and Williams this team is primed and ready for several deep playoff runs.
New Orleans on the other hand isn’t quite there. They didn’t give up much for Murray so there’s no problem with that trade but unless he regains his tenacity from his Spurs days on defense and proves his career year from deep last season wasn’t a fluke I don’t think he’s going to make a huge difference. With Williamson, Murray, McCollum and Ingram in the same starting lineup there’s just not enough basketballs to go around. They do need to trade Ingram.
If they trade Ingram they’ll still have three guys that put up 20+ PPG and it opens up more playing time for Jones, Hawkins and Murphy. If they can trade him for a defensive minded center it would be even better, as it stands they have to start Messi or Theis.
Playing time or ring chasing good for CP3. I was thinking he could come to NY to back up JB. Spurs probably offered him the most money too
They should trade CJ really
YES. He disappears in the playoffs. Ideally, they need to trade CJ for Ayton or Allen. But, pretty sure that’s not happening. A closing lineup of Murray, Murphy, Ingram, Herb, and Zion could be dangerous. I’d also like to see a few more minutes from Alvarado and Hawkins.
I like Ayton on this team
Pelicans have the worst starting C in the NBA other than GS
I think they’re going to use Zion as a small ball Center to close out games.
Horrible idea. Have a 6’6 midget out there. They need to trade CJ for a C around Murray’s age and a expiring contract
Klay wanted a better culture than what was in Golden State…