At 14-20, the Bucks are currently 11th of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee is 4-6 in its last 10 games. The team is desperately trying to make a trade to upgrade the roster.
MVP power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been debating his future with the Bucks for quite some time. It’s well-known he wants to play for a contending team. Currently, Milwaukee doesn’t offer that to Antetokounmpo. However, the team is monitoring the trade market. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks are keeping an eye on Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray.
Will the Bucks trade with the Pelicans for Dejounte Murray ahead of the deadline?
Could Dejounte Murray really be the missing piece for Milwaukee? 🦌The former Spur might be targeted by the Bucks according to the latest @TheSteinLine newsletter. Others say Murray’s $30.8M salary is a huge hurdle, but the Bucks are once again canvassing the league for upgrades.… pic.twitter.com/HfWWIgRQuH
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) January 1, 2026
Ahead of the 2025-26 trade deadline on February 5, the Bucks are eager to upgrade the roster. Milwaukee’s front office wants keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. Adding pieces to keep the Bucks competitive in the East is one way to do that. Sources around the NBA have noted several players on Milwaukee’s radar—one of them is Dejounte Murray of the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 29-year-old has yet to make his season debut for the Pelicans due to injury. Murray suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Janurary 21, 2025. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Murray is expected to return sometime in January 2026. If he bounces back nicely for New Orleans, Murray could be a trade target for the Bucks.
Bucks May Renew Interest In Dejounte Murray https://t.co/3uzowQKL8G
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 2, 2026
Jake Fischer reported that the team’s interest in Murray dates back to his time with the Spurs and Hawks. Before the season-ending injury in 2024-25, Dejounte Murray was averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. With a lack of major trade assets and picks, Dejounte Murray is an attainable trade target for the Bucks. It’s unknown if the Pelicans will be willing to trade Murray ahead of February 5.
Murray is on the books for $30.8 million in 2025-26 and $32.7 million in 2026-27. He has a $30.7 million player option for 2027-28. If the Bucks traded for Murray, he would be on the team for at least 2025-26 and 2026-27. Murray has not played all season for New Orleans, and the team has found a starting PG in rookie Jeremiah Fears.
Additionally, Jose Alvarado is a solid backup off the bench. If the Pelicans feel they have a logjam at PG, Murray could be on the trade block. We’ll have to wait and see if he is playing at a high level when he makes his season debut.
