Dejounte Murray has made a triumphant return for the New Orleans Pelicans, showing no signs of slowing down since his Achilles injury last January. With impressive performances like his 27-5-6 and 35-7-4 stat lines against the Raptors and Rockets, Murray is proving to be a game-changer for the Pels.
Before Murray's comeback, the Pelicans were struggling with a 20-42 record, projecting to a mere 26-win season. However, with Murray back in action and starting all nine games since his return, the team has improved to a 5-4 record, translating to a 45-win pace. While they're not instant contenders, Murray's impact is undeniable, and it's causing ripples beyond New Orleans.
The Hawks are feeling the pressure, as they hold the better of the Bucks/Pelicans first-round pick this summer. With Giannis facing his own challenges, the Bucks' pick remains appealing, but the Pelicans' rise in the standings is shaking things up.
Murray's presence has boosted the Pels to the 8th-best lottery odds, a drop from their previous 2nd-best position. This resurgence has left other lottery-bound teams, like the Grizzlies, Mavericks, and Jazz, trailing behind.
Despite this shift, the Hawks still have a 40.2% chance at a top-4 pick, thanks to the Bucks' current standing. Murray's influence is particularly evident in a unique lineup that the Pelicans have been utilizing.
Is small ball making a comeback? The Pelicans have been thriving with a versatile lineup of Dejounte, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Saddiq Bey, and Zion Williamson, achieving a +12.2 net rating in 72 minutes since Murray's return. This echoes the Hawks' own small-ball lineup of CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu.
The trend doesn't stop there. The Charlotte Hornets have also embraced small ball with their formidable lineup of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabate. Their success against Atlanta, using speed and versatility, highlights the power of these agile lineups.
In today's NBA, versatility is crucial, especially in playoff scenarios where mismatches are exploited. While Atlanta, Charlotte, and New Orleans might not make deep playoff runs this season, don't be surprised if they continue to experiment with small ball into the next season.
This trend could very well inspire a league-wide shift, as teams look to replicate the success of these dynamic lineups. After all, the NBA is a copycat league, and innovation is always on the horizon.