In: Jalen Green, 2027 second-round pick, $3.5 million cash
As In The N.O.’s Shamit Dua writes, “many around the league believe the Pelicans and Murray would like to work together to find a better situation for the veteran guard.” We can quibble over whether the Suns count as a “better situation.” But landing on a team obsessed with playing past Apr. 11 makes at least slightly more sense.
Though Green isn’t the cleanest fit in The Big Easy, he’s nearly six years younger and more athletic than Murray. He also doesn’t have an Achilles injury in his rearview. Last season was the first time he racked up a significant number of absences.
Despite identical career clips from beyond the arc, Green is the more dangerous shooter of the two. He moves differently when stationed away from the ball and ranked in the 64th percentile or higher of pull-up three-point efficiency during each of his first three seasons, according to BBall Index. Murray has cleared the latter threshold just once.
The Pelicans are burning most of their space beneath the luxury tax by taking on an additional $3.5 million salary. They’ll get it back in the inevitable Jordan Poole buyout. Phoenix is also sending New Orleans the requisite cash to make up the difference. Extra seconds are always useful, too.
Most importantly, the Pelicans are opening additional runway for sophomore Jeremiah Fears. Few consider him lead-guard material, but head of basketball operations Joe Dumars is “extremely high” on him, according to Dua. New Orleans can now hand him the reins unchecked while also carving out extra on-ball usage for Zion Williamson and Derik Queen.