Pacers asking too much for Troy Murphy? (*want Hickson)

[8305]

If its true that Bird wants Z, HIckson, and other picks for Murphy I can see why a deal hasn't gone down.

I'm all for getting the best deal possible but, the critical piece for Indiana is the expiring contract and finally beginning the task of moving some of the ridiculous contracts that hamstring this team relating to any personnel move.

When push comes to shove I say you get this deal done. If all you get is the expiring contract so be it. Moving Murphy means Hibbert will get all the minutes he can handle. When Hansbrough returns he will get plenty of minutes. It seems to me the focus should be all about futrue development. The sooner Hibbert, Hansbrough, Granger and Rush have extended time on the court together the better.

Moving Murphy will also put the Pacers in a position this summer to use the full mid level exception and not exceed the luxury tax. Don't know if the right guy will be there but at least there's enough flexibiity to allow the possibility.

[PR07]

I would take Z, Hickson, and the Cavs first round pick; but if push came to shove, I could probably be perfectly fine with Z and Hickson.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

I highly doubt the Cavs are going to give up Hickson in a deal for Murphy, the Cav fans seem downright insulted that Hickson + Picks was a criteria for Murphy.

[Dunthreevy]

Z + Hickson is absolute best case scenario for the Pacers in this deal, and the chances that we get that deal done are still very very slim. Hickson has been playing really well this season, and while I think he's extremely overhyped, he's put together a good enough first half of the season to merit a higher price tag.

[basketballwacko2]

I would take Z, Hickson, and the Cavs first round pick; but if push came to shove, I could probably be perfectly fine with Z and Hickson.

I think we're waiting for Tyler and Foster to get healthy. And sure we'd like to have Hickson, Z. and a #1 pick for Troy but I'm sure that if we can get either Hickson or the #1 with Z we'd take it and then if we're gonna buy out Z it would be nice to have something to show for the trade, I don't think the Cavs have much need for JJ Hickson if they are aquiring Murphy and then Z comes back. So most likely it's gonna be Z and Hickson plus cash, but we need to get some value in the deal if we're gonna buy out Z.

[DWCP2]

Larry Bird is playing an ambitious card to get what he wants for the Pacers. In one instance, you could see we're right and he's asking for too much, but at the same time, he's playing an even better card as well.

If Murphy is the key for the Cavs to winning a championship and keeping LeBron James, how much are they willing to pay to do both. If they pay that price and win, then it is simple deems a "for the better good" trade that gets them keeping their franchise player in town. If they don't pay the price and lose a championship and James, then they will have nothing to show for what they've done.

I've often said if they make the trade their 2010 and 2012 picks instead of Hickson, combine Z in there and I think they could get a deal done easily.

[FreeRon]

Only reason we'd buy out Z would be if it was part of the deal. I just don't see buying out the last 4 months of a guy's contract. Why would he ever agree to less than everything he's worth anyways?

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Hickson with 15/8 tonight, I just don't see them giving him up, he never stops moving and tries to dunk everything at the rim.

[HookShotHibbert]

I think people are that say this trade isn't fair are either under valuing Troy Murphy or they are overvaluing what the Cavs are giving up....

From the Pacers end:
Murphy is going to give his team a double double or near so every night, he adds a three point threat for Lebron to dish to yet he is still versitale enough to gobble rebounds. I know his defense is suspect but do you really think the Cavs are worried wanting him for his defense?

Also remember Indiana consistently gets out rebounded by their opponents and Troy is their best rebounder. This makes it a harder pill to swallow for them to trade Murph (especially if they aren't keeping Z)

As for what Indy would get in return:
If we buy Z out, we only get salary cap relief in the future and we loose a lot of rebounds in the now.

The picks just mean we have to give a guaranteed salary (first round money) to a player who will be a gamble unless Bird plans on packaging or selling the picks. We know Clevland wont be getting a high first rounder anytime soon (unless Lebron leaves).

I can't really speak to Hickson's talent or potential but I am sure right now he is less talented than Murph, but is getting paid much less and has more upside.

So in the end Indy sheds a little talent and a lot of future salary for marginal picks and potential. Semmsfair to me!!

[Granger da OG]

Thats a lot better headline than Pacers not asking enough for Murphy. Murphy is worth a lot more next yr as a trade chip. Stay the course.

[DWCP2]

Thats a lot better headline than Pacers not asking enough for Murphy. Murphy is worth a lot more next yr as a trade chip. Stay the course.

Here's one thing I don't think anyone has bothered to check yet....is there another team interested in Troy Murphy other then Cleveland.

What if the Z, Hickson and multiple pick offer is an ante up offer because another team is making a similar deal with Indiana and Indy has yet to pull the trigger allowing Cleveland to up the ante.

Everybody knows Cleveland is a spread PF away from winning a championship for at least this season if not well beyond it. Is a championship and keeping James worth Hickson and a 1st along with Z, then they should be beliving it by now.

[granger05]

Same old, same old Murphy info from Chad Ford's latest article, the top 20 players most likely to get moved by the deadline:

2. Troy Murphy, F, Pacers
The Pacers are struggling and looking to the future for hope. They were poised to potentially trade Jeff Foster, but with Foster likely now out for the season, their focus moves to Murphy. With a number of contending teams interested in him, the Pacers seem to be in the right place to make a deal.

While Murphy may be overpaid, there are few bigs in the league who can rebound and spread the floor the way he can, which gives him value to a number of teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be the team with the most interest. If the Cavs can't land Antawn Jamison, Murphy appears to be their second option. At a minimum, the Pacers likely will be able to get back expiring contracts and one asset (either a draft pick or J.J. Hickson) for Murphy.

[Dunthreevy]

Same old, same old Murphy info from Chad Ford's latest article, the top 20 players most likely to get moved by the deadline:

2. Troy Murphy, F, Pacers
The Pacers are struggling and looking to the future for hope. They were poised to potentially trade Jeff Foster, but with Foster likely now out for the season, their focus moves to Murphy. With a number of contending teams interested in him, the Pacers seem to be in the right place to make a deal.

While Murphy may be overpaid, there are few bigs in the league who can rebound and spread the floor the way he can, which gives him value to a number of teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be the team with the most interest. If the Cavs can't land Antawn Jamison, Murphy appears to be their second option. At a minimum, the Pacers likely will be able to get back expiring contracts and one asset (either a draft pick or J.J. Hickson) for Murphy.

Considering Washington just said they aren't going to trade Jamison because he's a "Franchise player", I think that gives us an even better position to negotiate with Cleveland.

[Miller4ever]

^^Very good point. The less options there are for Cleveland to get their floor-stretching big, the more valuable Murphy becomes.

[PR07]

Hickson appears to be a nice fit next to Roy. I mean he can rebound and move pretty well.

[MNPacersfan]

I think that Bird is holding out to see if the Cavs send out the "We can get this guy from that team for Z alone" call to see if the Pacers will take less to dump salary or he may be waiting for the Cavs to call at the break to say, "We're not finding what we want. Where's the middle ground?"

Maybe Z plus one asset (not necessarily Hickson) is the best it gets. Either way, the Pacers big year is 2011. Trading Murph in the offseason (expiring money) or late next season wouldn't be a terrible idea either. My guess is that one big 2011 contract gets moved over the summer for a starter and the others are allowed to expire so that Indy can step into the free agent market in summer '11.

In other words, I don't expect a trade unless it's modest, orit involves TJ Ford.

[Grang33r]

Cavs are desperate to get Murphy since Jamison is not going to happen. According to Yahoo, they really like Murphy and is their #2 option. Bird needs to figure something out, i mean, getting a 1st and Hickson would be the dream deal, but getting nothing would set us back IMO.

[Gremz]

Thats a lot better headline than Pacers not asking enough for Murphy. Murphy is worth a lot more next yr as a trade chip. Stay the course.

Here's one thing I don't think anyone has bothered to check yet....is there another team interested in Troy Murphy other then Cleveland.

What if the Z, Hickson and multiple pick offer is an ante up offer because another team is making a similar deal with Indiana and Indy has yet to pull the trigger allowing Cleveland to up the ante.

Everybody knows Cleveland is a spread PF away from winning a championship for at least this season if not well beyond it. Is a championship and keeping James worth Hickson and a 1st along with Z, then they should be beliving it by now.

He'd be a mean fit next to Dwight in Orlando, no idea about their interest though.

[Triumph36]

Cavs are desperate to get Murphy since Jamison is not going to happen. According to Yahoo, they really like Murphy and is their #2 option. Bird needs to figure something out, i mean, getting a 1st and Hickson would be the dream deal, but getting nothing would set us back IMO.

The Cavs are not desperate to get anyone, especially Murphy.

Not only is Murphy not worth Hickson, but you guys really don't realize how highly regarded Hickson is here within the front office. The Cavs aren't sending Hickson, and it's honestly non-negotiable.

If an Ind-Cle deal goes down, I'd be surprised if it's more than Z and a 1st.

[Miller4ever]

Fair enough. Z and a 1st? Financial safety and the possibility to draft a good contributor.