The tax-averse New Orleans Pelicans have spent the better part of two seasons waiting for Dejounte Murray to become the steadying presence they envisioned when acquiring the former All-Star. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted those plans, preventing the point guard from establishing the chemistry needed with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and the rest of a relatively young roster still searching for consistency. Another setback this preseason has only complicated matters, but Murray believes his value to Jamahl Mosley's rebuilding efforts go beyond the statsheet.
Even while navigating a troublesome toe contusion, Murray is embracing the responsibility of helping Mosley's work-in-progress Pelicans turn their considerable potential into tangible results.
“That’s just me. Natural-born leader. I just try to lead by example,” Murray told ClutchPoints. “I’m a guy that wants to be a sponge. And then if you got questions for me, I'm going to answer them.”
The setback is the latest injury hurdle since joining the Pelicans. Murray has appeared in just 45 games over the past two seasons, limited most recently by a ruptured Achilles tendon that sidelined him for more than a year before a late-season return in 2025-26. In those 14 games last season, the well-traveled 30-year-old averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
New Orleans cannot afford to rush Murray back simply to establish continuity in October. Those injuries have led to a 30.8% three-point mark, which is practically unplayable in today's era. The Pelicans need someone capable of affecting games on both ends of the court beyond the regular season. That is where the veteran leadership will be tested most.
Article Continues BelowMurray understands the stakes. After two years of interrupted expectations, there is little value in another round of preseason promises. There is no sense in Derik Queen stirring up trouble on social meida (tweet has since been deleted). Let the record show the work, nothing more or less. That's the message, and will remain so if Mosley's new standards stick.
“When I say not talk too much, I mean we're healthy, you know,” Murray said at Media Day. “And I think that’s a big plus for the New Orleans Pelicans. That's been a knock. It’s been a lot of health problems, but we're healthy. Pray to God we can stay healthy. When I say not to talk too much, actions speak louder than words. At this point, it is just up to us to go out and prove ourselves right.”
The latest setback might delay his opportunity to make that statement on the court, but it has not changed the responsibility. Thankfully, Murray sounds up for the challenge. As he works back to full strength, the Pelicans are banking on that mentality to guide a postseason run.