Why Dejounte Murray Wants to Come Back Now Despite Team Record
While the seemingly record number of teams for the highly anticipated 2026 NBA draft class, New Orleans Pelicans they accumulate losses without any benefit. They do not own their first-round pick after acquiring rookie center Derrick Quinn in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks last summer. All this team can do is grow as a group amid constant struggles, and try to give the fans something to be optimistic about. That’s exactly why Dejounte Murray is back to the court.
Despite the Pelicans sitting in 14th place in the Western Conference at 16-42, the 2022 All-Star rejoins the team after missing more than a year with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Murray intends to demonstrate justly how dedicated he is this city.
“I love New Orleans, I love the people,” the 29-year-old guard told reporters Monday, according to Pelicans Film Room X. “This is why I’m coming back. I’m not one of those people who can say, ‘I’m paid, I could get an extra 6-7 months…’
“There’s a lot of excuses for a dumbass to be like, ‘No, I’m not playing.’ And I’m the opposite of that. Not only that, I see the fans. This city is passionate, they love, they care {and} will stand behind you if you show that you are the same. Not only do I want to represent Dejounte Murray and my Murray family, but I want to represent New Orleans.
“I’m not one of those guys who can say, ‘I’m paid, I could get an extra 6-7 months…’ There’s a lot of excuses for a dumbass to be like, ‘No, I’m not playing.’ And I’m the opposite of that… I want to represent New Orleans.”
– Dejounte Murray
pic.twitter.com/0BI2vJ7Akk— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 23, 2026
2026-02-23 23:42:00
