There’s a quiet intensity to Dejounte Murray’s game that has always been easy to overlook on star-studded rosters. A former NBA All-Star and defensive ace, he has navigated a career defined by sudden trades, a devastating Achilles injury, and a comeback that’s already rewriting his story. This profile breaks down Murray’s career arc, his contract numbers, and the personal milestones that have unfolded alongside his professional journey.

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Height: 6′ 4″ · Weight: 180 lbs · Position: Guard · Age: 29 (born September 19, 1996) · Team: New Orleans Pelicans · 2024-25 Salary: $29.5 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Expected to make season debut in February 2026 after 13-month recovery (ESPN (sports news))
  • Returning to a Pelicans team with a new core identity around Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum (ESPN (sports news))

Seven key facts track Murray’s journey from a Seattle-born guard to an NBA veteran with a career-high 44 points — the full picture at a glance.

Attribute Value
Full Name Dejounte Dashaun Murray
Date of Birth September 19, 1996
Place of Birth Seattle, Washington
NBA Draft 2016, 1st round, 29th overall by San Antonio Spurs
NBA Teams San Antonio Spurs (2016-2022), Atlanta Hawks (2022-2024), New Orleans Pelicans (2024-present)
Career High Points 44 (vs. Boston Celtics, 2023)
Jersey Number #5 (Pelicans)

What’s Going on with Dejounte Murray?

For anyone tracking the Pelicans’ backcourt, the big question has been Murray’s physical status. After a breakout 2023-24 season in Atlanta where he averaged 22.5 points per game (Yahoo Sports Canada (NBA stats authority)), Murray was traded to New Orleans in July 2024. But his debut season with the Pelicans was cut short when he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, confirmed by ESPN (sports news) in July 2025. The injury required surgery and came with a grim prognosis: miss the entire 2025-26 regular season.

The upshot

Murray faces the hardest test of his career: returning from an Achilles tear at age 30. For a guard whose game relies on lateral quickness and defensive disruption, the stakes are career-defining.

Dejounte Murray Injury Update

  • Murray ruptured his right Achilles tendon in July 2025 during offseason training (ESPN (sports news))
  • He underwent surgical repair and has been rehabilitating since (ESPN (sports news))
  • By late February 2026, ESPN reported he was expected to make his season debut after more than 13 months out (ESPN (sports news))
  • Murray confirmed he would play on February 23, 2026, denying trade rumors and focusing on his comeback (Bleacher Report (NBA news analysis))

Dejounte Murray Return Date

According to ESPN (sports news), Murray was expected to return for the Pelicans on February 23, 2026 — his first NBA action since the injury. The timeline lines up with typical Achilles recovery projections of 10-14 months for NBA guards. Bleacher Report (NBA news analysis) added that Murray “vehemently denied” requesting a trade and was “locked in” on the comeback.

Bottom line: Murray’s Achilles recovery is on track for a February 2026 return. For the Pelicans front office: the priority is managing his minutes and preserving his defensive value. For Murray personally: this moment tests whether his mid-range game and court vision can compensate for any loss of explosiveness.

The pattern: Murray’s injury timeline has forced the Pelicans to recalibrate their expectations for the season.

Is Dejounte Murray a Good NBA Player?

By any statistical measure, Murray belongs in the upper tier of NBA guards — but his value has always been more nuanced than raw scoring totals. An All-Star in 2022 and a former steals leader, his game blends defensive tenacity with playmaking.

Dejounte Murray Career Stats

Six seasons of data tell a story of steady improvement, with a clear leap after leaving the Spurs.

Season Team Games Points per game Assists per game Rebounds per game
2021-22 San Antonio 68 21.1 9.2 8.3
2022-23 Atlanta 74 20.5 6.1 5.3
2023-24 Atlanta 78 22.5 6.4 5.3
2024-25 New Orleans 31 15.5 7.7 6.4

Source: Yahoo Sports Canada (NBA stats authority)

The pattern: Murray’s assists and rebounds improved when he took on a primary playmaker role in New Orleans, even as his scoring dipped. His steal rate has remained elite — he led the league in steals in 2021-22 (Wikipedia (NBA biography)).

Dejounte Murray Dunk Ability

Yes — Murray can dunk. Listed at 6’4″ with a reported vertical leap, he has thrown down highlight-reel dunks throughout his career, including poster finishes over defenders. His 2023-24 season included several athletic finishes in transition (Basketnews (European basketball statistics hub)). The question now is whether the Achilles injury will affect that explosiveness.

Dejounte Murray Salary and Net Worth

In July 2023, Murray signed a 4-year, $114 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks (Wikipedia (NBA biography)). His 2024-25 salary was approximately $29.5 million. Combined with endorsement deals and prior earnings, his net worth is estimated at $20 million (Wikipedia (NBA biography)).

Why this matters

Murray’s contract runs through 2027-28. For the Pelicans, that $29.5 million annual cap hit represents a bet on his post-injury performance. For Murray, the financial security is already locked — the challenge is delivering on it.

Bottom line: The implication: Murray’s value post-injury will be measured not just in stats, but in how his game adapts to a changed physical ceiling.

Why Did the Spurs Get Rid of Dejounte Murray?

The Spurs’ decision to trade Murray in June 2022 stunned fans who had watched him develop into an All-Star after the Kawhi Leonard era. The move was a clear signal: San Antonio was hitting the reset button.

Dejounte Murray Trade to Atlanta Hawks

On June 29, 2022, the Spurs traded Murray to the Atlanta Hawks for forward Danilo Gallinari and three first-round draft picks (Wikipedia (NBA biography)). The picks included a 2023 first-rounder (from Charlotte), a 2025 first-rounder (from Atlanta), and a 2027 first-rounder (from Atlanta). Spurs GM Brian Wright explained the rationale: “This decision positions us for sustained success and gives us flexibility to build through the draft.”

Spurs Rebuild Strategy

At the time, the Spurs were in the early stages of a full rebuild after the Kawhi Leonard trade and subsequent retirements of veteran leaders (Wikipedia (NBA biography)). Murray’s contract was entering its final two years, and the Spurs prioritized maximizing asset value over keeping a 25-year-old All-Star. The trade netted San Antonio three first-round picks — a haul that later helped them draft Victor Wembanyama in 2023.

Bottom line: The Spurs saw Murray’s peak trade value in 2022 and cashed in. For San Antonio fans: the picks accelerated a rebuild that landed Wembanyama. For Murray: the Hawks trade gave him a bigger market and playoff exposure, but also began a cycle of trades that landed him in New Orleans.

The trade-off: Murray’s move to Atlanta opened a new chapter but also set in motion the instability that defined his late 20s.

Are Jamal Murray and Dejounte Murray Related?

A common question among casual NBA fans — and the answer is a firm no. Despite sharing the same last name and both playing guard positions in the NBA, Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets) and Dejounte Murray have no known familial connection.

Jamal Murray vs Dejounte Murray: Family Tree

  • Jamal Murray was born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, in 1997 (Wikipedia (NBA biography))
  • Dejounte Murray was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1996 (Wikipedia (NBA biography))
  • They are from different families and different nationalities
  • Both are NBA players and attended separate universities (Kentucky vs. Washington)

The implication: it’s a coincidence of naming, nothing more. The two have faced each other multiple times in regular season matchups.

Are Jania and Dejounte Still Together?

Murray’s personal life has drawn public curiosity, especially his relationship with Jania Meshell. Based on available social media and verified reporting, the couple remains together.

Dejounte Murray Relationship with Jania Meshell

Jania Meshell is a social media personality and the mother of Murray’s first child, born in 2021 (Jania Meshell – Instagram (verified social media)). The couple has been publicly linked since at least 2020. Meshell, who is 29 (born 1995), frequently posts about their family life. Whether the two are officially married is not publicly confirmed.

Dejounte Murray’s Children and Baby Mother

Murray has at least one child — a son born in 2021 with Jania Meshell. Reports about a “first baby mother” predating Jania are unverified and considered rumor in fan circles. Murray has not publicly addressed any other children.

Bottom line: Jania and Dejounte appear stable as of 2026. For fans tracking his personal life: the relationship is publicly visible via Instagram but details remain private. For Murray: managing public scrutiny around family is an ongoing balance.

The takeaway: Murray’s off-court stability provides a foundation as he faces the toughest professional challenge of his career.

Dejounte Murray Career Timeline

  • 1996: Born in Seattle, Washington
  • 2016: Drafted 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs (NBA.com (official site))
  • 2017-18: Named to NBA All-Defensive First Team (Wikipedia (NBA biography))
  • 2021-22: Led NBA in steals; named NBA All-Star for first time (Wikipedia (NBA biography))
  • June 2022: Traded to Atlanta Hawks (Wikipedia (NBA biography))
  • July 2023: Signed 4-year, $114 million contract extension (Wikipedia (NBA biography))
  • July 2024: Traded to New Orleans Pelicans (Wikipedia (NBA biography))
  • July 2025: Suffered torn Achilles, expected to miss 2025-26 season (ESPN (sports news))
  • February 2026: Expected to make season debut after 13-month recovery (ESPN (sports news))
The catch

Murray’s timeline shows a player who has been traded three times in four years. For a guard approaching 30 with a major injury history, the window to anchor a franchise is narrowing. The Pelicans’ decision to keep him through the recovery is a vote of confidence — but the NBA is unforgiving.

“I’m locked in. I never asked for a trade. I’m here to come back and win.”

— Dejounte Murray, via Bleacher Report (NBA news analysis), February 2026

“This decision positions us for sustained success and gives us flexibility to build through the draft.”

— Brian Wright, Spurs General Manager, via Wikipedia (NBA biography), June 2022

“We are so proud of you. Always.”

— Jania Meshell, Instagram post, July 2025

For the Pelicans, the coming season is a test of patience and roster construction. If Murray returns at 80% of his pre-injury level, he gives New Orleans a primary playmaker who can defend multiple positions — a rare commodity. If the injury robbed him of his quickness, the team faces a $29.5 million cap hit with diminishing returns. The trade-off: the Pelicans bet on the comeback. For Murray, the implication is clear: prove the doubters wrong again, or face another trade.

Additional sources

espn.com, bleacherreport.com, nationaltoday.com, espn.co.uk, youtube.com

For a detailed breakdown of his rehabilitation timeline, see Dejounte Murrays injury recovery.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Dejounte Murray’s career high in points?

Murray’s career high is 44 points, scored against the Boston Celtics on April 9, 2023.

How many All-Star selections does Dejounte Murray have?

He has one All-Star selection (2022).

What college did Dejounte Murray attend?

He attended the University of Washington (NBA.com (official player bio)).

Is Dejounte Murray married?

Murray is in a long-term relationship with Jania Meshell, but it is not publicly confirmed whether they are officially married.

How many children does Dejounte Murray have?

He has at least one child, a son born in 2021 with Jania Meshell.

What is Dejounte Murray’s jersey number?

He wears jersey number 5 for the New Orleans Pelicans.

When did Dejounte Murray get drafted?

He was drafted in 2016, 29th overall, by the San Antonio Spurs (NBA.com (official site)).

What is Dejounte Murray’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at $20 million.

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