The drama seemingly never stops down south, especially when Dejounte Murray is stirring the pot on social media. First came the shots at Tony Parker's mentorship with the San Antonio Spurs, then some headbutting with Trae Young's Atlanta Hawks. Now the former All-Star is making trade demands after only nine active games with Jamahl Mosley's punch-drunk New Orleans Pelicans.

Not keeping those demands private might prove to be costly. Murray's in-house, behind-the-scenes bickering was one thing, even with the Mosley disrespect during games. The dissatisfaction was an open secret after months of trade speculation. Retweeting a Shams Charania report that Murray wants away from New Orleans crossed a line that the CBA clearly establishes.

Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, a player or representative who publicly expresses a desire to be traded can face a fine of up to $150,000 and/or a suspension. According to ESPN's lead reporter, agent Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and team officials have started working on a resolution for the one-time All-Star.

Public trade demands have drawn notable fines in recent years. In August 2023, James Harden was docked $100,000 by the NBA after declaring he was done with the Philadelphia 76ers. Anthony Davis was fined $50,000 for making trade demands back in 2019. However, resolution does not necessarily mean a trade is coming, per the team.

All options, including a buy-out or a one-way ticket home, are being considered by the Pelicans. Any move may have to wait until a potential Murray suspension is served as well.

“Today, Dejounte Murray’s representatives informed us of his request to be traded,” the Pelicans posted. “We will evaluate potential trade opportunities that are in the best interest of our organization.”

Article Continues Below

The development followed a turbulent week in which Murray criticized the organization through social media posts, including one alleging internal “sabotage.” His frustration intensified after consecutive blowout losses to the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets. Staying in the Big Easy now seems untenable, even if the most scathing tweets were deleted.

Acquired from the Hawks in a June 2024 deal that cost the Pelicans two first-round picks and Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and E.J. Liddell, Murray has struggled with injuries and consistency. The 30-year-old is owed about $32.8 million this season and holds a $30.8 million player option for 2027-28. That substantial cap hit and Murray's social media activity are just two factors making it difficult to find a trade partner.

Still, with Paul and the Pelicans already exploring a potential resolution, Murray's departure appears increasingly likely. He was ‘not in the building' for a home matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, per Mosley. So, the writing is on the Smoothie King Center's walls. Whether the eventual exit comes with a six-figure penalty could ultimately depend on whether the NBA considers a retweet a public demand rather than a private business decision.