New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray wants out, and the Phoenix Suns are already being linked to him.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on X on Friday that Murray has asked for a trade, and that his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, and Pelicans officials have started working on a resolution. The Pelicans confirmed the request later Friday, saying in a statement that they “will evaluate potential trade opportunities that are in the best interest of our organization,” according to theScore and Bleacher Report.
According to ESPN, Murray has made it clear to the team that he is ready to play a key role in meaningful basketball somewhere else. The request comes with New Orleans at 4-8 and on a four-game losing streak, including a 145-111 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Murray, who has a left ankle sprain, was ruled out of Friday night’s NBA Cup game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 30-year-old has averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 assists in nine games this season, theScore reported. He made his only All-Star team in 2021-22 with the San Antonio Spurs and has dealt with multiple injuries in recent years, including a torn Achilles in 2025. New Orleans acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks in 2024 in a deal that sent two first-round picks, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and E.J. Liddell to Atlanta. His contract runs through the 2027-28 season.
The Valley angle is real. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that the Suns have registered interest in Murray, and The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Friday that opposing teams believe Phoenix is motivated to trade guard Jalen Green for a proven point guard, according to Bleacher Report. Miami and Milwaukee have also been mentioned as possible fits in national coverage.
No trade is close or agreed to at this point, and the Suns have not commented. Aztimez will update this story if a deal comes together.
Sources: ESPN’s Shams Charania on X and ESPN.com, New Orleans Pelicans statement via theScore and Bleacher Report, Chris Haynes via HoopsHype, The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
Photo: “Sunset on the Hoop,” Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0 public domain dedication. Generic image; not a photo of any player, team or event.
