Could the Bucks Make a Move for Dejounte Murray? Why the Pelicans Might Be Ready to Listen
Dejounte Murray’s name hasn’t made many headlines this season - and for good reason. The 29-year-old guard has been sidelined since January, recovering from a torn Achilles. But with the NBA trade deadline creeping closer and the New Orleans Pelicans spiraling, Murray’s name is starting to re-emerge in league circles.
According to Marc Stein, the Milwaukee Bucks could be a team to watch if Murray becomes available later this winter. And while nothing is imminent, the timing - and the circumstances - might just line up for both sides.
Murray’s Recovery and the Pelicans’ Reality
Back in the summer, ESPN’s Shams Charania suggested Murray could return around the New Year. At the time, that seemed like a potentially key boost for a Pelicans team hoping to hang around the play-in picture.
But fast forward to now, and that scenario feels far-fetched. New Orleans sits at 5-22, and any hopes of a second-half surge have all but evaporated.
That kind of record doesn’t just knock you out of playoff contention - it forces a front office to re-evaluate everything. And that’s exactly where the Pelicans find themselves. With trade rumors swirling around Zion Williamson and two standout rookies in Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears showing real promise, the franchise might be inching toward a reset.
If the Pelicans decide to embrace a rebuild, moving Murray could be the next logical step.
Why the Bucks Could Be a Fit
Milwaukee isn’t in an ideal spot financially, but they’re also a team with championship expectations and an MVP centerpiece in Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s a tough balancing act - and one that might push them to explore bold moves.
Enter Murray.
His $30 million salary isn’t exactly pocket change, but in today’s NBA, it’s a number that can be matched in trades without too much gymnastics. More importantly, Murray brings a skill set that could mesh well with Milwaukee’s needs: a two-way guard who can handle the ball, defend at a high level, and take some of the offensive load off Giannis and Damian Lillard.
Now, let’s be clear - Murray isn’t likely at the top of Milwaukee’s wish list. He’s coming off a major injury, and there’s no guarantee he returns at the same level. But if other options fall through, and the Bucks feel the pressure to make a move, Murray could become a viable - if not necessary - target.
And when healthy, he’s proven he can run an offense at an All-Star level. That kind of upside is hard to ignore for a team trying to keep its championship window open.
A Clean Exit for New Orleans?
From the Pelicans’ perspective, this could be the perfect opportunity to reset the books. Murray still has four years left on his deal, and moving that kind of contract for a player approaching 30 and coming off a serious injury isn’t easy. But if the Bucks are feeling the urgency, New Orleans might find a willing trade partner.
Shedding Murray’s contract would give the Pelicans much-needed cap flexibility - the kind that could accelerate a rebuild around Queen and Fears. Both rookies have flashed major potential early on, and the front office may see them as the new foundation.
If that’s the case, then moving veterans like Murray becomes less about what you get in return and more about clearing the runway for the next era.
Final Thought
There’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Murray’s health and the Pelicans’ direction. But the pieces are starting to align. If New Orleans decides to sell, and if Milwaukee feels the pressure to add help now, don’t be surprised if Murray’s name finds itself back in the trade spotlight.
Sometimes, the right deal isn’t the perfect one - it’s the one that makes sense for both sides at the right time. This could be that kind of deal.