Dejounte Murray Denies Trade Rumors, Season Debut For Pelicans

Dejounte Murray pushed back on trade chatter, posting that he was "locked in to come back" from a ruptured Achilles and never asked to be moved at the deadline. Reports suggested his camp preferred a new destination, but he stayed with New Orleans and made his season debut Tuesday, scoring 13 points in the Pelicans' 113-109 win. After the game he said, "I've been through a lot. I keep my chest out, chin up, smiling." Merlin senses the real story is fit and health, not headlines. Murray averaged 17.5/7.4/6.5/2.0 last year and the Pelicans, 17-42, will use the rest of the season to test him alongside rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. If he stays healthy and finds a defined role, the trade whispers will fade. If not, those whispers will return louder.