Coming off his two greatest seasons with the Hawks, Dejounte Murray was traded out to New Orleans to proceed his promising profession. In line with the guard, he’s greater than grateful for the chance given in Atlanta, however couldn’t be happier to have landed in a squad that made the 2024 NBA playoffs and is led by Zion Williamson.
The 27-year-old, who was current this Tuesday at his introductory press convention on the Pelicans‘ headquarters, believes that any longer his future will probably be decided by staff outcomes, and never particular person performances. “It’s a enterprise and I keep out of on the subject of the entrance workplace.
“You’ve obtained to comprehend, within the NBA, you must win. It’s not on one participant. You all the time should do what’s greatest to your staff and typically these are onerous issues and I perceive,” Murray mentioned.
ATLANTA….🖤 Thank You For Making Me And My Household Really feel Like We Was Residence.🙏🏽 To My Brothers Over The Previous 2 Years In ATL I Respect And Love You Guys. To The Employees I Constructed Relationships With, Thank You For Every part!!!! I Can’t Neglect About All The Followers Of ATL That Confirmed LOVE! pic.twitter.com/JEgRV7HnSB
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) July 7, 2024
In his personal phrases, his primary aim is “working onerous and being an excellent particular person,” he mentioned. “That’s the identical factor I attempt to inform younger guys coming into the league — management what you may management.”
Simply two years in the past in San Antonio, the athlete was named an All-Star when he averaged 21.1 rebounds, 9.2 assists and two steals per contest. That marketing campaign was his final in a Spurs jersey, which was the staff that chosen him as a twenty ninth general pick of Washington within the 2016 NBA Draft.
Throughout his time in Georgia, he reached his career-high in factors with 22.5 per match. Regardless of this, he has been traded away from the second time in three years. “San Antonio was San Antonio, and Atlanta was Atlanta,” Dejounte mentioned. “I’m in New Orleans as a Pelican and I’m excited for that — and that’s all that issues.”
“I perceive my function. I’m a basketball participant. I’m not a GM,” the 27-year-old expressed on Tuesday. “I need to proceed to develop as man and a father and basketball participant. … I slot in good and I believe it’s going to be a clean transition.”
In line with the brand new signing, the Pelicans have been “already an excellent staff” after profitable 49 video games throughout final yr’s common season
In a means, Murray is making an attempt to say that he feels his NBA profession has been upgraded after signing a brand new contract in New Orleans. The purpose guard acknowledged that the Pelicans have been “already an excellent staff” earlier than his arrival, as their numbers from final season are sufficient proof.
The Louisiana membership completed seventh within the Western Convention, regardless of shedding afterwards in opposition to the Lakers within the Play-In Event. Finally, Williamson suffered a season-ending harm and the squad was swept by top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis within the playoff’s first spherical. “They gained 49 video games and going to the playoffs, that speaks for itself,” he mentioned.
As for teaming up with Zion, he believes they are going to convey out the most effective of one another. “That’s our celebrity and I’m excited to push him,” he expressed as Williamson was attending his press convention within the entrance row, smiling immediately on the staff’s latest signing.
“I instructed him I’m going to push him,” Murray then added. “If I see one thing I believe he may be higher at, if he sees one thing to me, we’re going to be open to that. … I’m excited to push him to the subsequent degree as a result of there are a bunch of ranges he can attain.”
