The New Orleans Pelicans made their first splash after the NBA Draft.
The Pelicans have acquired All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, ESPN reported Friday.
Adding Murray to the roster improves New Orleans' defensive line and will likely increase its overall shot-creation ability. The Pelicans sent a pair of first-round picks, Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels, to Atlanta in exchange for Murray.
Murray is coming off a strong season, appearing in 78 games and averaging a career-best 22.5 points.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks against the Boston Celtics during Game 3 of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
He was also a catalyst for the Hawks during three-time All-Star Trae Young's extended absence due to injury in the second half of the season.
HAWKS SELECT FRENCH TEENAGER ZACCHARIE RISACHER WITH THE FIRST PICK OF THE NBA DRAFT
Murray's shooting from beyond the arc also improved last season. The 27-year-old made a career-high 201 3-pointers during the 2023-24 campaign.
Larry Nance Jr. during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. (Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
The Hawks gave up three first-round draft picks to land Murray in 2022. The franchise hoped that adding Murray to Atlanta's backcourt alongside Young would create one of the NBA's most formidable duos.
But the experiment largely failed, and Murray will now see how he fares in New Orleans with Brandon Ingram.
Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) and guard Trae Young (11) celebrate before a win against the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA first-round basketball playoff series on April 21, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Murray signed a four-year, $114 million extension with the Hawks last year, but Atlanta won’t have to pay any of that salary since the deal hasn’t been finalized yet. Murray is scheduled to make an estimated $25.3 million for the 2024-25 season.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
New Orleans hopes Murray can help turn around the team's fortunes when they trail late in games. Last season, the Pelicans lost every game when they entered the fourth quarter trailing. Murray scored three go-ahead baskets in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime last season.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
