Why the Indiana Pacers Should Keep Their Eyes on Troy Murphy in Free-Agency

The Indiana Pacers are widely expected to add some depth in their front court through free-agency, whenever the current lockout is lifted. The Pacers have been rumored to target David West and Carl Landry, amongst others. However, even if they add one of these players to their roster, should they look at re-signing veteran free-agent Troy Murphy for a second stint? Murphy spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Indiana Pacers.

Troy Murphy came to the Indiana Pacers in a trade in January 2007 along with Mike Dunleavy Jr., Ike Diogu, and Keith McLeod from the Golden State Warriors. These two franchises were struggling at the time, and wished to make some wholesale changes in order to see some improvement.

The Warriors drafted Murphy as a lottery pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, after spending three years playing college basketball at Notre Dame.

Murphy averaged 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while appearing in 42 games to finish out the 2006-07 NBA season. During his three remaining years as a member of the Pacers, he averaged 13.7 points and 9.7 rebounds while seeing his three-point percentage improve as well.

However, the Indiana Pacers traded Murphy before the start of the 2010-11 NBA season in a unique four-team, five-player trade that landed Murphy in his home state of New Jersey with the Nets.

Although he appeared in only 18 games with the Nets, and requested to play elsewhere, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors (where he spent five-and-a-half seasons) close to the trade deadline along with a 2012 second-round draft pick in exchange for the expiring contracts of Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright.

Murphy was bought out and released by the Warriors. As an unrestricted free-agent, Murphy decided to join the Boston Celtics, who were also looking to add some size to their roster, after dealing Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He eventually signed with the Boston Celtics and made his playoff debut in his 10th NBA season.  His time in Boston was average at best, as he appeared out of shape averaging 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 17 regular season games. He appeared in one playoff game logging only three minutes.

Now an unrestricted free-agent, Murphy will most likely look for an opportunity where he can contribute for an entire season, and needs to find his “game”. The Indiana Pacers know what he can offer, and may sign him as a backup. Josh McRoberts is also an unrestricted free-agent, and it is unclear at this time how much the Pacers would be willing to pay to keep him.