{"id":625098,"date":"2026-02-26T01:20:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T01:20:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/625098\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T01:20:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T01:20:31","slug":"dejounte-murray-addresses-pelicans-trade-rumors-in-viral-tweet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/625098\/","title":{"rendered":"Dejounte Murray Addresses Pelicans Trade Rumors In Viral Tweet"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New Orleans Pelicans haven\u2019t been completely healthy all season. With Dejounte Murray<\/a> making his 2025-26 debut on Tuesday, they\u2019re getting close though. Starting at point guard alongside Herb Jones<\/a>, Saddiq Bey<\/a>, Zion Williamson<\/a>, and DeAndre Jordan<\/a>, the 29-year-old tallied 13 points (on 5-11 shooting from the field), three assists and one steal in 25 minutes.<\/p>\n

Dejounte Murray Addresses Pelicans Trade Rumors In Viral Tweet<\/p>\n

After being sidelined for more than a year with an Achilles injury<\/a>, Murray\u2019s play against the Golden State Warriors was lauded by teammates and coaches alike. However, it\u2019s the message that he sent after New Orleans\u2019 victory that stole the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel great, man, I couldn\u2019t be with a better group. They supported me through this whole rehab process, from checking on me (to) making sure I did what\u2019s best for me to put me in position to be able to come play,\u201d Murray said before walking off the court<\/a>. \u201cAnd, you know, that\u2019s all that matters man.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a player who had previously voiced frustration<\/a> with the way the Pels were handling his injury rehab process last season, those words carried a lot of weight. It meant that Pelicans executive vice president Joe Dumars, hired in April 2025, had successfully regained Murray\u2019s confidence. It also suggested that Murray truly wants to be in New Orleans for the long haul, echoing his comments from Monday afternoon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as New Orleans, I\u2019m here. I love New Orleans. I love the people\u2026,\u201d he said after practice.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026This city\u2019s passionate. They\u2019re loving, they\u2019re caring, they\u2019ll get behind you if you show that you\u2019re the same. So, you know me, my mindset was to take care of my mind and my body. And also, you know not only do I want to represent (myself and my family) but I want to represent for New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Let\u2019s Clear The Air\u2019<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Murray tripled-down on his dedication to the Pelicans franchise.<\/p>\n

Responding to a user\u2019s post on X<\/a> (formerly known as Twitter) stating that he \u201crequested a trade before the deadline this year,\u201d the ninth-year veteran responded:<\/p>\n

\u201cLET\u2019S CLEAR THE AIR CAUSE **** A SOURCE\u2026 Me Or My Agent Never Requested A Trade Out Of NEW ORLEANS!!!! Joe And The Whole Organization Know I Was Locked In To Come Back Better Than Ever To Help Make This Play In Push And Whatever Comes After That!! It\u2019s Bouts To Get Fun!!\u201d<\/p>\n

The rumors about Murray requesting a trade out of New Orleans came from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints<\/a> and The Athletic\u2019s Will Guillory<\/a>. Specifically, Siegel wrote that Murray \u201cwould like a change of scenery.\u201d In Guillory\u2019s words, \u201call indications from folks on Murray\u2019s side suggest the 29-year-old would prefer to find a new destination ahead of the trade deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n

To be fair, a player can desire a trade without making an official trade request. Just consider Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> and the Milwaukee Bucks. Furthermore, it\u2019s easy for a player to say they didn\u2019t want to leave if they don\u2019t get moved. Who would know the truth? At the same time, Murray\u2019s particularly candid and it\u2019s unlikely that he\u2019s telling a bald-faced lie.<\/p>\n

\"\"Feb 9, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray hugs New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (0) after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

More likely than not, Siegel and Guillory received bad or incomplete intel that skewed the reality of the situation.<\/p>\n

Pelicans To Make A Play-In Push<\/p>\n

Perhaps it should go without saying given that they don\u2019t control their 2026 first-round pick, but New Orleans doesn\u2019t have a great reason to tank. That pathway could minimize injury risk and maximize player development. Yet, there isn\u2019t much rationale behind the latter, as the Pelicans\u2019 injuries have allowed rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen to rank top-five among their draft class<\/a> in total minutes played.<\/p>\n

With that being said, Murray followed up his trade request denial with a Play-In Tournament push promise. Though acknowledging N.O. isn\u2019t considered a playoff contender, he does believe they can clinch a play-in berth. To that point, the Pelicans are currently 11.0 games out of 10th-place in the West with 23 games remaining.<\/p>\n

Duh!!! Are we a contender? No. Can we reach top 6 spot? No. Can we build some momentum playing together and build winning habits rest of the season? Yes. Can we treat every game like a championship game and win win win? Yes. Can we get in them last spots in the play in??? Duhhhhh https:\/\/t.co\/NZ9tfYgrwD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) February 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

A lot would have to go right, even for them to climb to 10th-place. That\u2019s how far behind the eight ball they are. However, even if they do fall short of that goal, Murray is right to remind fans that the players can \u201cbuild some momentum playing together and build winning habits (for the) rest of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a reminder, the Pelicans\u2019 problem this season hasn\u2019t been a lack of talent. It\u2019s been a combination of their stars\u2019 lack of availability and their neophyte\u2019s lack of discipline. Over the next few months, they could have more than enough time to change directions. All they need is a little more luck on their side than they\u2019ve had in the past \u2013 a very low bar.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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