Guest Post: A First Look at the Eastern Conference Playoffs
February 2, 2010NBA Trade Rumors: Larry Hughes Wants Out
February 2, 2010As the Cavaliers look to add the highly-coveted “stretch 4” to their offensive arsenal, many have inquired as to what it would actually take for Danny Ferry to make a deal. As of this morning, we officially have a gauge as the team has reportedly rejected the Indiana Pacers due to their asking price for forward/center Troy Murphy.
Mike Wells’ Pacers Insider reports that Indiana offered Murphy to Cleveland for forward JJ Hickson, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and “multiple” draft picks. The title of Wells’ report is “Pacers asking too much for Murphy,” and thinking here is that most would agree. The Cavaliers had an up close and personal look at Murphy’s game when the Cavaliers dominated the Pacers on the road late last week. While his ability to shoot from the outside is a huge plus, Murphy’s current contract and severe lack of defense weighs heavily when it comes to his value.
While we cannot speak for Danny Ferry, one would have to assume – given current record and chemistry – that a package of JJ, Ilgauskas and multiple picks would only be reserved for a top flight player. And no offense to Troy Murphy, but he is not said level of player, regardless of fit.
For now, Murphy should be placed as a last resort if the Cavaliers feel that they must make a move. It is also assumed that the asking price for Murphy – a player who the Pacers are looking to move – will come down as we draw closer to the February 19th trade deadline.
39 Comments
The Pacers do realize we’re talking about Troy Murphy here, right?
I was at the game on 1/29th and saw his game 14 rows away from the court. The guy can really stroke it but to say he’s soft is an understatement. He took it to the rim two times and each time his shot was blocked and he was knocked into the seats (by Shaq and LBJ). Even Pacers fans (who made up less than 50% of the fans in attendance) were laughing at him. I like his ability to stretch the D but I don’t think he’d fit well with the team because he plays no defense. The more and more I read about Iguodala the more and more I think he’d be the ‘Pippen’ to Lebron’s ‘Jordan’ and a team changing acquisition. I think the (JJ + Z + Draft Pick) formula would be enough to land him as well so Bird can hold onto Old Troy for the remainder of his contract.
Larry Bird must be either going senile or smoking crack if he really thought Ferry would agree to that.
Yes way too much to ask for a guy who has little upside. Teams will get desperate. Ferry loves the waiting game.
I will go nuts if we move Hickson in a deal for Murphy
I’m glad the Cavs think that JJ, Z and multiple draft picks is too high of a price. I hope the JJ part is what turned away Ferry.
im not sure i would move hickson for murphy straight up.
Who reports these things?
“Mike Wells reported today that with almost 2.5 weeks left until the trade deadline, the Pacers started high like any front office should do, just to see if Danny Ferry would bite because he is desperate to get another player to situate next to LeBron and aid a championship run. As the Pacers expected, it did not work. They will adjust the offer accordingly as the process continues. In other news…”
Lame.
I would have been furious if this deal happened b/c Murphy is in no way worth that. I realize Bird is trying to feel out where the teams are at, but no way that happens. Like Adam said, teams will start to get desperate in the next 2 weeks and a deal will be made.
In Ferry we Trust.
I think Z is too high a price for Murphy. That’s because Troy Murphy isn’t very good.
Z and a second round pick is as high as I would go for a low-upside guy like Murphy. The only reason I’d even include Z is because Indiana would definitely buy him out clearing the way for his return.
Here’s an unrelated point: I am happy to take bad contracts to get better now, even though Lebron might leave leave us screwed. I am not happy to trade draft picks that will be lottery picks if Lebron leaves.
Murphy’s lack of toughness was on full display Friday night. I don’t think he’s a player you can rely on in the Playoffs. As much as I feel that the Cavs need to improve their overall talent at the deadline, I don’t think Murphy is the way to go.
That game Friday really turned me off on Murphy, who just looked terrible. Maybe that’s not fair, but I think the thing that really made him play poorly was the toughness of the Cavaliers. He wilted against it.
Bird: “I need to make some change. Do you have four twenties for a five?”
Ferry: “Let me check my walle—waaaaaait a minute…”
BrianRut4,
I know for certain that I would not exchange Hickson for Murphy.
I would in one circumstance exchange a clearly improving player for one that does not appear to be clearly improving. This is not that circumstance.
Just based on salary alone I wouldn’t do JJ for Murphy straight up.
wow….
if the cavs want to get a large white man to throw up bad 3 pointers they have better options. sign me to a contract, or… keep Z
ya gave me a chuckle there, DP..
LES, agreed. I can even grow a sweet Abe Lincoln Beard like Murphy has in that pic.
The more i think about it, the more i am certain that Jamison is the best option.
No defense means no sword and plumage for Troy.
BTW, DP, I’ve been meaning to tell you: That hat you put on Romeo looks more like a do-rag or a pirate bandana. I like it!
I haven’t gotten the buzz about this guy to begin with… is he even athletic at all? Looked pretty soft to me in the Cavs game few days ago.
No way do I want this guy for ANY price… I wouldn’t even give up Jawad or Danny Green at this point for him, let alone JJ or Z.
Nice try by Indiana unfortunately as previously mentioned we are talking about Troy Murphy. The combination of Hickson/Z would be out there if I was Ferry for someone like a David West/someone or Jamison but not Murphy. Personally I’d rather see Gibson packaged with Z in a deal for Jamison/someone rather then Hickson but I’m just being greedy.
So what exactly is the difference between Troy Murphy and Donyell Marshall? Other than age, aren’t they the same player?
I just saw this on the SI.com Fannation postings:
“Wow, I guess the Cavs are trying to pull a Lakers but are unwilling to pay even a marginal price. If they truly believe that Murphy will put them over the top then Hickson and picks plus Zs expiring contract is a small price to pay. I mean its not like the greatest basketball player on Earth plays for their team and has an option to leave as a free agent at the end of the year or anything. Oh Wait.”
People.
Jack,
“If they truly believe that Murphy will put them over the top…”
That, as they say, assumes a fact not in evidence.
Murphy is the missing piece to our championship like I’m the missing piece for an NSYNC reunion. Thank God for Danny Ferry and his GM skills. Murphy was a bum in college, and he’s a bum in the pros. I believe someone called him soft….truer words were never spoken.
#FREE ANTAWN / IGGY
After seeing him in the game against the cavs, I say forget this guy. He looked like he was lost out there. Unless they will do Z only and buy him out.
This is how negotiations start. Indiana starts ridiculously high because they know they can. I’m sure Ferry shot that down rather quickly. Ferry is not an idiot, Z and 2nd rounder (maybe or 1st for this coming draft) for Murphy. Jameison is the guy we need and to get him we might need to let go of Z , JJ and 1st round pick. I’m still weary of that trade also. Jamesion is getting older with a terrible contract. JJ is only getting better, and Lebron loves him.
yeh i do not want this guy on the cavs AT ALL
I wish the Suns had made this offer from their end for Amar’e. Signed, sealed, delivered if that’s the case.
Even though I do not think this is a good trade, I think people need to give Murphy some more credit
Was second in the league last year in double doubles, and almost averages a double double this year (9.6 rpg)
One of the best shooting big men in the league, with a high field goal percentage
He is soft against physical big guys though on defense, but I believe the cavs have other players on their team that can make up for that lack of defense
Still….. Pacers were asking for too much
I hate when people say that such n’ such can’t play defence. Same thing they said about Mo. They said shaq is terrible on the pick n’ roll. They aslo said boobie was a defensive liability.
Last time i checked Mo was a good scrapy on-ball defender.
Last time i checked Boobie was a strong short guard that can defend the other teams 1 or 2.
And last time i checked, Shaq was doing a o.kay job on the pick n’ roll. (Better this year, than previous years).
So i don’t listen to that “he can’t play defence stuff” because if you’re going to play for mike brown, you WILL learn how to defend. Troy would be a very nice addition to what the cavs do plus he can get his own shot.
With Lebron and Shaq demanding the double team, Troy will get wideopen looks and we all know he doesn’t need that much room anyway. I know he had a tough night against us but who doesn’t? LoL.
Fact is that troy is a good pick up and im 100% sure that whoever he checks won’t score more points than he will (in our system). Plus with hickson NOT hitting he jumpshot, the cavs can’t stretch the floor. I would give hickson up for murphy in a heartbeat.
Mo sounds mean when you put his defense that way. Scraping people? Ouch.
@Denny: He has very quick feet and its very hard for opposing point-guards to run around him and i think hes scrapy. Like eddie house but more under control.
Oh, you mean “scrappy” – he doesn’t fit the undeterminable requirements, I don’t think :/
For reference, pls see: KSK’s interview with Austin Collie.
You people don’t understand ANYTHING! Troy murphy is a much better player than you think!! First of all, none of you EVER watch the pacers so don’t lie. Nobody watches the pacers these days. Only die hard fans like me watch the pacers these days. So you can’t sit here and say troy murphy sucks just because the pacers never win any games. It’s not his fault. Troy murphy is probably one of the best shooters in the NBA no doubt. Last year he averaged 14 points AND 11 rebounds(2nd in the league) and also was the FIRST PLAYER in nba history at being the top 5 in rebounds and 3 point percentage. He is a very unique player and continues to stroke it deep for us. If you added him to your team you would be a VERY VERY dangerous team. The problems the cavs had last year consisted of not being able to guard the stretch 4’s and of course lacking the stretch 4 type of player. It’s the same issue this season. Rashard lewis absolutely killed you guys last year. I’m not saying T. murph is rashard lewis but he can sure shoot it like him. T. murph is not a very good low post defender but can guard guys like rashard lewis outside, he’s a very decent one on one defender. People just call him a bad defender because he has to defend the post a lot. Troy murphy is actually doing very well now-a-days. He can also take it to the hole and finish tough layups. aybe if you watch the pacers more you can say something. Get LEAGUE PASS
Derp
What about JJ, Z and Mo for Murphy, Tj Ford and, Travis deiner or luther head