The New Orleans Pelicans’ season is unraveling, and fans have every right to be frustrated. The Pels reside at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with the league’s second-worst record and have lost eight games in a row. This was not the campaign anyone would have envisioned coming off a 49-win campaign. Optimism was even higher after the Pelicans traded for former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, but injuries, inconsistency, and chemistry issues have led to a growing sense of uncertainty.
Murray is at the heart of these struggles, and his underwhelming performance has left fans and analysts questioning his fit with this roster. What’s going wrong, and what should the Pelicans do next?
Murray’s Rocky Start
When the Pelicans gave up Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and two first-round picks to acquire Murray, expectations soared. But after missing 17 games with a broken hand suffered in the season opener, his return has been anything but smooth.
Since rejoining the lineup on Nov. 27, Murray is averaging 16.5 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game. In most seasons, the Pelicans would welcome that type of production, but Murray’s numbers are marred by inefficiency and career-low metrics. His 27.6% three-point shooting, 36.4% field goal percentage, and 41.0% effective field goal percentage (eFG%) are all personal worsts. So are his career-high 2.4 fouls per game and 3.9 turnovers per game; an unacceptable combination for any lead guard.
His on/off-court stats paint a grim picture, highlighting just how poor Murray’s play has been. The Pelicans are 6.5 points worse per 100 possessions offensively with Murray on the court and 7.1 points worse defensively when he’s out there. Murray, instead of setting the table for his teammates, has taken a lot off of it on both ends of the floor.
The Lineup Problem
Murray’s struggles also show in the team’s lineup efficiency. Over the past five games, the Pelicans’ best offensive three-man groups—like those featuring Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Yves Missi—don’t include Murray at all. Meanwhile, Murray is prominently featured in the worst-performing lineups, particularly in combinations involving Yves Missi and Brandon Boston.
On defense, Murray’s inclusion doesn’t fare much better. Of the Pelicans’ five worst three-man defensive lineups, Murray is part of every single one. His inability to mesh with the roster has created serious concerns about his role and impact on this team.
He hasn’t shown enough evidence of being the leader on the court or in the locker room the franchise needs. Dejounte Murray has played slow, undisciplined basketball, and by the numbers has been the worst starter this season.
Why Trading Murray Isn’t the Solution (Yet)
There’s been speculation that the Pelicans could move Murray before the trade deadline. However, selling low on him would be a massive gamble. Murray’s value has plummeted since the trade, and finding a team willing to match what the Pelicans gave up will be nearly impossible.
Even contenders looking for a guard—like the Los Angeles Lakers—are unlikely to offer significant assets. Reports suggest that teams like the Lakers and Orlando Magic might inquire about his availability, however, it’s doubtful any package would come close to the return the Pelicans initially invested this past summer.
David Griffin and the Pelicans’ front office have to be careful. It’s too early to pull the plug on the Murray experiment. The focus does need to shift to solving the Murray puzzle, and making him fit.
The Path Forward
For the Pelicans, the priority must be figuring out how to get the most out of their talented point guard. His struggles—whether due to the system, his role, or the lingering effects of injury—need to be addressed head-on.
The coaching staff must also find ways to mitigate Murray’s turnovers while unlocking his defensive potential. While his 2.7 combined steals and blocks per game suggest he can still be disruptive, the Pelicans need more consistency on that end of the floor. Opposing guards, like Fred Van Vleet who scored 25 points on Thursday night, have had their way against the Pelicans.
Pelicans fans deserve answers—and results. After years of waiting for the team to turn the corner, this season feels like a massive step backward. While Murray’s struggles are a glaring issue, the problems extend beyond just one player.
The Pelicans need to commit to solving the issues at hand, even if that means enduring growing pains.
Dejounte Murray shouldn’t be a lost cause. He’s an All-Star with a proven track record, and the Pelicans owe it to themselves—and their fans—to see if they can unlock the version of Murray they traded for. Whether that happens will define not just this season but the team’s trajectory moving forward.
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