Dejounte Murray is having his worst season ever, what can the Pelicans do?

The New Orleans Pelicans season is unfolding and followers have each motive to be pissed off. The Pels sit on the backside of the Western Convention standings with the second-worst file within the league and have misplaced eight straight video games. It was not the marketing campaign anybody would have imagined after a 49-win marketing campaign. Optimism was even larger after the Pelicans traded for former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, however accidents, inconsistency and chemistry points led to a rising sense of uncertainty.

Murray is on the coronary heart of those struggles, and his disappointing efficiency has left followers and analysts questioning his match on this roster. What’s unsuitable and what ought to the Pelicans do subsequent?

Murray’s tough begin

When the Pelicans gave up Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and two first-round picks to amass Murray, expectations skyrocketed. However after lacking 17 video games with a damaged hand within the season opener, his return has been something however easy.

Since becoming a member of the roster on November 27, Murray is averaging 16.5 factors, 7.2 assists and 6.4 rebounds per recreation. In most seasons, the Pelicans would take pleasure in this sort of manufacturing, however Murray’s numbers are marred by inefficiency and profession low metrics. His 27.6% three-point capturing, 36.4% subject aim share, and 41.0% efficient subject aim share (eFG%) are all private worsts. So is his career-high 2.4 fouls per recreation and three.9 turnovers per recreation; an unacceptable mixture for any lead guard.

His statistics on and off the sector paint a bleak image, highlighting simply how poor Murray’s play has been. The Pelicans are 6.5 factors worse per 100 possessions offensively with Murray on the court docket and seven.1 factors worse defensively when he is on the market. Murray, as a substitute of setting the desk for his teammates, took away loads on each ends of the court docket.

The programming downside

Murray’s struggles are additionally mirrored within the staff’s effectiveness. Over the previous 5 video games, the Pelicans’ finest three-man offensive teams, like these that includes Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi, do not embody Murray in any respect. In the meantime, Murray figures prominently in lower-scoring lineups, significantly in combos involving Yves Missi and Brandon Boston.

On protection, Murray’s inclusion does not fare a lot better. Of the Pelicans’ 5 worst three-man defensive lineups, Murray is in each one among them. His lack of ability to combine into the staff has led to critical issues about his position and influence on this staff.

He hasn’t proven sufficient proof of being the chief on the sector or within the locker room that the franchise wants. Dejounte Murray performed sluggish, undisciplined basketball and, by the numbers, he was the worst starter this season.

Why Buying and selling Murray is just not (but) the answer

There was hypothesis that the Pelicans may transfer Murray earlier than the commerce deadline. Nevertheless, promoting it low cost can be an enormous gamble. Murray’s worth has plummeted for the reason that commerce, and it is going to be practically inconceivable to discover a staff keen to match what the Pelicans gave up.

Even contenders in search of a guard, just like the Los Angeles Lakers, probably will not provide vital upside. Reviews recommend groups just like the Lakers and Orlando Magic may inquire about his availability, however it’s unlikely a package deal will come near the return the Pelicans initially invested final summer time.

David Griffin and the Pelicans entrance workplace should be cautious. It is too early to finish the Murray experiment. The main focus must be on fixing Murray’s puzzle and getting him into form.

The way in which ahead

For the Pelicans, the precedence must be determining methods to get essentially the most out of their gifted level guard. Their difficulties – whether or not because of the system, their position or the lingering results of an harm – should be addressed head on.

The teaching employees should additionally discover methods to mitigate Murray’s turnovers whereas unlocking his defensive potential. Though his 2.7 mixed steals and blocks per recreation recommend he can nonetheless be disruptive, the Pelicans want extra consistency on that finish of the court docket. Opposing guards, like Fred Van Vleet who scored 25 factors Thursday evening, had their approach in opposition to the Pelicans.