The Giannis Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee has reached a familiar inflection point: contention or consequences. While the two-time MVP remains under contract, league-wide belief persists that Giannis wants clarity and a competitive roster sooner rather than later. As the Milwaukee Bucks canvass the league ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, one name has resurfaced repeatedly: Dejounte Murray.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks are monitoring Murrayâs situation in New Orleans, per his The Stein Line newsletter. Itâs not a new fascination. Milwaukee previously explored Murray during his stints with the Spurs and Hawks, and sources suggest the front office still views him as a potential solution to long-standing backcourt issues, namely on-ball defense, secondary creation, and perimeter pressure.
Why Murray Fits Milwaukeeâs Reality
Milwaukeeâs challenge is not identifying star talent, itâs affordability. With limited draft capital and few attractive young assets, the Bucks are effectively shopping in the âflawed but impactfulâ tier of the market. That makes Murray, despite his injury and contract, a realistic target.
Before suffering a season-ending Achilles rupture during the 2024-25 campaign, Murray averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. At his best, he offers a rare blend of defensive disruption and playmaking, traits that have been inconsistent around Giannis since the Jrue Holiday era ended. The appeal is straightforward: Murray could ease Giannisâ offensive burden while restoring some perimeter resistance that Milwaukee has lacked against elite Eastern Conference guards.
Injury Timeline Clouds the Market
The risk, of course, is health. Murray has yet to make his season debut for the New Orleans Pelicans after undergoing surgery on a ruptured right Achilles tendon earlier this year. Fischer reported that Murray is targeting a return sometime in January 2026, though his exact timeline remains fluid.
Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego offered cautious optimism in December, noting that Murray is âworking his tail offâ in rehab but without a definitive return date. Importantly, Murray has not yet resumed full-contact practices, signaling that any on-court ramp-up will likely be gradual once heâs cleared.
That uncertainty cuts both ways. If Murray returns and flashes his pre-injury form, New Orleans could either raise his trade value or decide he still fits their long-term plans. If the recovery is slower or uneven, the Pelicans may be more open to discussions.
Contract Math and Pelicansâ Depth
Murray is owed $30.8 million in 2025-26, followed by $32.7 million in 2026-27, with a $30.7 million player option for 2027-28. That contract is sizable but not prohibitive, especially for a Bucks team that has recently become accustomed to operating deep into the tax.
Roster dynamics also matter. New Orleans has found stability at point guard with rookie Jeremiah Fears emerging as a starter, while Jose Alvarado remains a reliable backup. That depth gives the Pelicans flexibility and potentially reduces their urgency to keep Murray if the fit becomes redundant.
Why This Matters for Giannis
Milwaukeeâs front office understands the stakes. Superstar trades are unrealistic, but meaningful upgrades are not. Murray represents the kind of calculated swing the Bucks are positioned to take: a high-level player with a clear flaw, injury uncertainty, whose upside still aligns with Giannisâ competitive timeline.
Whether a deal materializes before Feb. 5 remains uncertain. What isnât is Milwaukeeâs intent. Keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo engaged means proving the Bucks are still hunting wins, not just waiting out the clock. Murray may not be the perfect answer, but in this market, he might be the most attainable one.
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