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Troy Murphy News & Rumors

Troy Murphy believes he can return to full form
December 19
Los Angeles Times
 
"Everything's "going 100 miles an hour right now" for Troy Murphy, including participating in his first Lakers practice, catching up after missing the first eight days of training camp and settling into Los Angeles. But there's one thing the Lakers' recently signed forward insists won't hold him back in the 2011-12 season -- his health. Last year, Murphy suffered back and hamstring injuries two weeks before the season opener and would go on to average only 3.1 points and 3.2 rebounds with New Jersey and Boston, part of the reason why the Lakers were able to sign him to a one-year, $1.4-million contract. Both Lakers Coach Mike Brown and Murphy believe his previous seven seasons, in which he"
Murphy getting used to new place: playoffs
April 18
Boston Herald
 
"When Troy Murphy was drafted by Golden State in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft, little did he realize it would be 10 years before he sampled the fruits of playoff basketball for the first time. This was precisely what the 6-foot-10 forward wanted when he negotiated a buyout with the Warriors on Feb. 27. Two days later, Murphy opted for the Celtics over the Heat, feeling they presented him with the best opportunity to play meaningful games in late spring. "I'm really pumped to be here and still be playing," said Murphy, who played in 17 games for the Celtics. "Hopefully we will be playing for while." After spending five full seasons with the Warriors, failing to finish higher than"
Murphy sits out Celtics practie; Wafer returns
March 25
Boston Globe
 
"Forward Troy Murphy sat out part of Celtics' practice Thursday with an ankle injury, according to assistant coach Armond Hill. Murphy was walking with a slight limp on the team's practice court after the training session. Guard Von Wafer worked out at full speed but his status has not been determined for Friday's game against Charlotte."
Troy Murphy eyes first playoff run
March 7
Boston Herald
 
"Troy Murphy is still finding his way with the Celtics, looking to fit in and make a contribution to his new team. There remains a good deal of uncertainty of just how things will go. But Murphy is happily certain of one thing: His traditional spring schedule will be altered immeasurably. He is a lock to be part of the playoffs for the first time in his career. After nine years of unlacing his game sneakers for the summer at the end of the regular season, Murphy is looking forward to extra hoops. "Very much so," he said before the C's 89-83 win against the Bucks last night. "I've never been in the playoffs, and I'm excited to take part in all that. "That's why I wanted to come to the"
New faces thrown right in
March 3
Boston Herald
 
"It's unlikely Doc Rivers ever planned on employing a lineup of Avery Bradley, Von Wafer, Jeff Green, Glen Davis and Troy Murphy. But that was the unit on the court for extended stretches in last night's 115-103 win over the Phoenix Suns at the Garden. Rivers will have no choice but to throw some odd combinations on the court as he incorporates a host of new faces in the wake of the recent roster shakeup. And things won't get easier as he'll eventually need to work in the injured trio of Delonte West, Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal. West is expected back from a sprained right ankle Sunday in Milwaukee, Shaq could be back next week from an inflamed right Achilles' tendon, and there is"
Celtics make Troy Murphy signing official
March 3
ESPN.com
 
"The newest member of the Celtics, Troy Murphy, is in the building and expected to be in uniform Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns. Murphy will wear No. 30, last worn by Rasheed Wallace. Here's the official announcement from the Celtics: The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed forward Troy Murphy. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed."
Troy Murphy joining Celtics
March 2
Boston Globe
 
"Just days after overhauling their second unit with a flurry of trades, the Celtics continued their late-season dealing yesterday by taking Troy Murphy off the buyout market, bolstering their frontcourt with a nine-year veteran who can rebound and spread the floor with his long-range shooting. Murphy, 30, who was traded from New Jersey to Golden State and then bought out by the Warriors, agreed to sign with the Celtics for the veteran's minimum. He wavered between Boston and Miami, the top two suitors and also the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, and he went with the Celtics because of their tradition and recent NBA Finals history. "It was a very tough decision,'' said Murphy. "The"
Sources: Troy Murphy picks Celts
March 1
ESPN.com
 
"Highly coveted free agent Troy Murphy is signing with the Boston Celtics. Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Murphy has chosen to join the Celtics after spending the much of the past 48 hours agonizing between Boston and the Miami Heat since reaching buyout terms with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Murphy also received recruiting pitches this week from Portland, New York and Orlando, sources said, but the 6-foot-10 forward was always determined to sign with a top contender in anticipation of making the first deep playoff run of his career. Murphy has played in more games (639) than any other active player without appearing in the playoffs."
Warriors buy out Troy Murphy
February 28
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors and Troy Murphy on Sunday reached an agreement for a "reasonable" buyout, a team source said. The power forward was obtained with a second-round pick from New Jersey for Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright on Wednesday. Although the Warriors did a little posturing this week, they never intended to bring Murphy into their locker room."
Report: Warriors buy out forward Troy Murphy
February 28
Oakland Tribune
 
"Bay Area News Group learned Sunday that the Warriors have bought out forward Troy Murphy, whom they acquired from New Jersey just before the trade deadline last week. When the Warriors acquired him in the deal that sent forward Brandan Wright and center Dan Gadzuric to the Nets, Murphy was due $2.7 million for the remaining 25 games. An NBA source confirmed the buyout agreement was for less than that amount."
Troy Murphy, Mike Bibby could emerge as Heat options
February 28
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"By the time the Miami Heat's three-day break ends with Thursday's nationally televised game against the visiting Orlando Magic, it is possible the roster has a new look. Veteran forward Troy Murphy and veteran point guard Mike Bibby, each dealt at last week's NBA trading deadline, could have eyes on South Florida. Murphy, who reportedly has agreed to a buyout with the Golden State Warriors, is said by ESPN to be deliberating between the Boston Celtics and Heat. Bibby, dealt last week by the Atlanta Hawks, is reportedly in talks, according to the Washington Post, for a possible buyout from the Washington Wizards. By NBA rule, players must be waived by March 1 to be eligible for another"
Murphy acquired, unlikely to suit up
February 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors on Wednesday acquired Troy Murphy and a second-round pick from New Jersey for Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric in a deal that was first reported by The Chronicle. Essentially, the Warriors traded two guys they don't use for a second-round pick and Jeff Adrien, a player they're likely to pluck from the NBA Development League, according to team sources. The Warriors are hoping to further move Murphy and his $12 million expiring contract for another second-round pick. In all likelihood, none of Boston, Dallas, Miami or Orlando will bite and instead wait to sign Murphy for the league minimum after the Warriors buy out the forward."
Magic waiting on Troy Murphy
February 24
Orlando Sentinel
 (scroll down)
"One reason the Magic have stood pat so far could be that they expect 6-foot-11 forward/center Troy Murphy to become available as a free agent. News outlets reported that the Nets and the Golden State Warriors have reached an agreement that would send Murphy to the Warriors. Murphy is expected to receive a buyout from Golden State. Acquiring Murphy after he clears waivers could be a win-win for the Magic. The team wouldn't have to give up any assets, and it would have another big man to put into the rotation with Howard, Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson."
Nets trade Troy Murphy to Warriors for Brandan Wright, Dan Gadzuric
February 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"On the same day they picked up Deron Williams in a surprise trade, the Nets have shipped Troy Murphy back to the place his career began. The Nets traded Murphy and their 2012 second-round draft pick to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a pair of backup big men: forward Brandan Wright and center Dan Gadzuric. The Warriors are expected to buy out Murphy's contract. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are among a few teams interested in signing Sparta native after he is bought out. The move comes hours after the Nets acquired Williams from the Utah Jazz for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two draft picks and cash. "We are very pleased to add Dan and Brandan to our roster," Nets general"
Nets land Deron Williams from the Jazz in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors
February 23
New York Daily News
 
"The Nets didn't get Carmelo Anthony, but they still landed a superstar. They also may have trumped the Knicks. Sources confirmed reports that Utah guard Deron Williams is headed to the Nets in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and two first round picks. The news came as a shock in the wake of the failed pursuit for Anthony. In the end, the Nets came out of the trade chaos looking like stealthy winners. Williams, 26, is one of the top guards in the league and an Olympic champion, but his relationship with the Jazz soured to the point that he reportedly forced out coach Jerry Sloan."
Jazz deal All-Star Williams to Nets
February 23
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Utah Jazz have agreed to deal All-Star point guard Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets in a three-way deal that will send Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and two first-round draft picks to Utah, sources tell Y! Sports. The Nets will also receive forwards Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric from the Golden State Warriors and send the Warriors forward Troy Murphy. New Jersey will also send $3 million to the Jazz."
Nets' Murphy on move
February 23
Yahoo! Sports
 
"After nearly two months of trying to find a trade for him, the New Jersey Nets are near an agreement to send Troy Murphy to the Golden State Warriors for Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The trade is expected to be completed on Wednesday, but could still become larger with the inclusion of Nets point guard Devin Harris into a three-team package – most likely with Portland or Dallas, sources said. The Warriors, who would also receive a 2012 second-round pick from the Nets, will buy out the remainder of the $12 million owed Murphy in the final year of his contract and allow him to become a free agent."
Blazers and Nets talk trade involving Andre Miller and Joel Przybilla for Devin Harris and Troy Murphy
February 22
Oregonian
 
"The Trail Blazers have engaged in trade talks with New Jersey about a deal that would send Andre Miller and Joel Przybilla to the Nets for point guard Devin Harris and power forward Troy Murphy. A third player from Portland, or a third team, would have to be included to make the deal work financially. Harris and Murphy make a combined $21 million while Miller and Przybilla make a combined $14.6 million. "It's real, but it's not done,'' a person with knowledge of the talks said Monday evening. With Denver's Carmelo Anthony apparently headed to the New York Knicks, in a deal ESPN said tonight has been finalized, New Jersey was left to consider other options. According to reports at Yahoo!"
Shunned by 'Melo, Nets also lose out on ex-Knicks
February 22
New York Post
 
"Earlier this year, after the Godzilla-sized likeness of Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov was long gone from the shadow of the Garden, the Knicks responded with an ad to dig back at the Nets. "Hey Nets," said a voiceover on the ad. "You can walk like us, you can talk like us, but you ain't never gonna be like us." Maybe the Nets didn't get the message, because it sure looks like they're trying to be the Knicks. And apparently, they're even failing at that. With the 28-26 Knicks getting Carmelo Anthony -- and keeping the woeful 17-40 Nets solidly down once again -- the area rivals in New Jersey, league sources said last night, were hoping to trade for two soon-to-be former Knicks, Timofey Mozgov"
Nets not dead yet in pursuit of Anthony
February 21
New York Post
 
"The Decision, the sequel, is expected to come today for the Nets. Carmelo Anthony is expected to inform the Nets by today at the latest whether or not he will accept a trade to New Jersey and sign an extension to play there, sources told The Post last night. The Nets and Nuggets have a deal in place pending Anthony's willingness to sign an extension. The Knicks and Nuggets also have the basic framework of a deal that has been worked on all weekend. After the face-to-face meeting finally took place Saturday between Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and Anthony, initial reports suggested the Russian billionaire's team was out of the hunt for the Nuggets star. Anthony was described as"
Nets jump back into Carmelo Anthony fray
February 20
Denver Post
 
"After a slow start to the Carmelo Anthony trade saga Saturday, things picked up again by the end of the night. Although Anthony has given no indication he will sign the three-year, $65 million contract extension with the Nuggets to make the deal with the Nets, New Jersey was able to put in a last-ditch effort late Saturday night. According to a source, owner Mikhail Prokhorov was expected to meet with Anthony to try to sell him on signing the extension to play with the Nets, despite denials earlier in the day that a meeting would take place. The Nets' deal is Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Ben Uzoh, Troy Murphy and four first-round picks to the Nuggets. The Nuggets would send Anthony,"
Would Troy Murphy be a good fit with the Spurs?
February 17
San Antonio Express-News
 
"There's been a lot of message-board speculation that disgruntled New Jersey forward Troy Murphy could help the Spurs this season in a playoff push. Murphy has fallen out Coach Avery Johnson's favor and the Nets' rotation because of his frequent defensive lapses, but could help a contending team because of his perimeter shooting skills and his rebounding. Nets general manager Billy King told the YES Network earlier this week that he is actively working to move Murphy before the Feb. 24 trade deadline (hat tip Pro Basketball Talk.com.) "Obviously, you know, I'm very focused on Troy," King told the network. "I feel bad for Troy in this situation, but I think something will come before the"
Sources: Nets, Nuggets talk Melo trade
February 17
ESPN.com
 
"The New Jersey Nets reached out to the Denver Nuggets about a week ago to resume trade talks concerning Carmelo Anthony, according to league sources. The two clubs are discussing a smaller version of the 13-player, three-team trade they nearly agreed to last month. Detroit was a part of that deal and would have sent Richard Hamilton to New Jersey, but the Pistons are not involved in the new talks. With talks between Denver and the New York Knicks picking up steam over the past couple of weeks, the eventual trading of Anthony to his favored destination of New York before the Feb. 24 trade deadline was beginning to appear imminent. But the Nets' re-emergence is a serious threat to New York's"
No return for Troy Murphy
January 27
Bergen Record
 
"Troy Murphy is still listed among the Nets' reserves, but he's no closer to returning to the court in a New Jersey uniform. Despite general manager Billy King's statement Monday on WFAN radio that Murphy likely will rejoin the club until a trade could be worked out, the 30-year-old forward will remain estranged from the Nets. "Billy said we'll be staying on the same path. He will not be joining our team," Nets coach Avery Johnson said before Wednesday night's game against Memphis. "Right now, there are just no minutes to play.""
Murphy move is going nowhere
January 27
New York Post
 
"Troy Murphy is staying home. The on-going confusion regarding Murphy's status resurfaced when Nets general manager Billy King spoke about the possibility of Murphy rejoining the team. In the morning, coach Avery Johnson was unaware of any impending move and said he would address the matter with King. Last night, he claimed it's not happening. "Billy said we're just going to stay along the same path,'' Johnson said of Murphy, who has been told to stay home in case the Nets try to trade him -- or hang on to him in case Denver calls back about Carmelo Anthony. "He will not be joining our team." Murphy last played on Jan. 7 and basically has been a non-entity. Johnson acknowledged he has no"
Troy Murphy may still be traded
January 22
Bergen Record
 
"Nets general manager Billy King promised to work with Troy Murphy on finding him a new team. But King said he misspoke Wednesday when he said Murphy asked out. "Troy didn't demand a trade," King said. "We agreed because he was part of that trade and it didn't happen we would continue to try and trade him." Murphy would have gone to Detroit in the proposed the three-team trade for Carmelo Anthony that principal owner Mikhail Prokhorov called off. But it doesn't mean the talks won't resume at some point."
Troy Murphy asks to be traded after less than one season with team
January 20
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Troy Murphy has played his last game for the Nets. The Sparta native and Delbarton grad has asked to be traded after less than one season with the team, GM Billy King said, and the team will grant that request. Murphy will be allowed to stay home until the team can find a taker for his expiring $11.9 million contract. Murphy, 30, was left back in New Jersey last week when the team went on a four-game West Coast trip — the team said he was "sick" — and he was to have been part of the three-team deal with Denver and Detroit that would have brought Anthony to the Nets. Murphy would have been sent to Detroit, along with Johan Petro, in exchange for Richard Hamilton. But King said Prokhorov's"
Pistons could get value for Troy Murphy
January 19
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons haven't traded Richard Hamilton, but if they do, their consolation prize could be valuable. Hamilton's shaky status with the team and potential involvement in a three-team trade with the Nuggets and Nets gives Detroit a shot to land forward Troy Murphy. Murphy, a 6-foot-11, 30-year-old, nine-year NBA veteran has an $11.9 million contract with the Nets that expires at the end of this season. Consider the contract the main reason why he's considered trade bait. Murphy does have some rebounding and shooting skills that could be put to use this season if he gets healthy. But for now, he's out because of the flu and didn't travel with the Nets on their last trip. Murphy has averaged"
Anthony says Nuggets GM knows whether he'll sign with Nets or not
January 19
SI.com
 
"Carmelo Anthony walked past a line of buffet trays and shook his head. "No meat, no bread, no sweets," he said last Wednesday when we met in the Nuggets' player lounge for a 40-minute interview. "I'm in day four for 21 days. It's a personal fast, that's all." Larger issues than his next meal are facing Anthony. As detailed in my story in Sports Illustrated this week, the Nuggets' star small forward has spent the last six months attempting to leverage his way out of Denver in time to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with a team of his choosing. Anthony understands the risks of declining that extension with the Nuggets. "People just see the fact that I haven't signed that contract"
Nets' pitch to 'Melo: swing and miss?
January 18
Yahoo! Sports
 columnist Adrian Wojnarowski
"The New Jersey Nets had strutted around so full of themselves: big talk, blustery billboards and puffed-up promises. Even so, no one bought into the myth of Mikhail Prokhorov the way they did within that forlorn franchise. The Nets treat the Russian owner like some deity, like a Euro Mark Cuban, when he's little more than an absentee landlord cutting big checks and delivering delusional proclamations of championship parades inside of five seasons. If the Nets truly need to sell Carmelo Anthony on accepting the trade and signing a contract extension, they're a bigger lost cause than they've ever been. The Nets can't let Prokhorov and Jay-Z get on a jet and go sell that now because this"
No Carmelo Anthony-Nets meeting set
January 18
Denver Post
 
"An NBA luminary. A hip-hop legend. A Russian billionaire. The largest trade in NBA history. You can't make this stuff up. The seemingly never-ending Carmelo Anthony trade talks had more twists and turns Monday. And the Nuggets didn't even practice, or have a game. Multiple sources said there is no meeting currently set up for billionaire Nets owner Mikhail Prok-horov and Jay-Z to sit down with Anthony, a meeting that NBA.com reported would happen. It's still possible Prokhorov could fly to Denver any day this week and try to convince Anthony to sign a three-year contract extension to facilitate a trade. A source with knowledge of the Nuggets' strategy said Monday that the team is prepared"
If Melo doesn't want Nets, he should put stop to trade talks
January 17
CBSSports.com
 columnist Ken Berger
"Faced with the prospect of a face-to-face meeting with Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z this week to finally push trade talks with the Nets to some kind of conclusion, Carmelo Anthony's reaction couldn't have been any clearer. Nah, I'm good. The reason is the same as it has been for more than a month -- longer than that, really. On Sunday, a person with knowledge of Anthony's thinking told CBSSports.com that there remain only two teams he has thought about signing an extension with: the Nuggets and the Knicks. As CBSSports.com reported Dec. 12, after the Nuggets' only scheduled trip to Madison Square Garden this season, Anthony remains steadfast in his desire"
Anthony denies meeting set with Nets after Nuggets fall to Spurs
January 17
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony was not traded Sunday. Instead, he bounced up and down the court in a Nuggets uniform against the Spurs at the AT&T Center. There is an expected meeting between the Nuggets star and New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov this week that could change Anthony's status in a few days. However, Anthony not only denied knowing about the widely reported meeting, he said he didn't want to talk to any teams at all. "I'm having a meeting?" he said after the Nuggets' 110-97 loss at San Antonio on Sunday night. "I know nothing about that. "I've never heard about that. That's news to me. I can't talk to them people. The Denver Nuggets still pay me. I haven't talked to anybody — Masai"
Carmelo Anthony's tenure with Nuggets might be at an end
January 16
Denver Post
 
"The explanation given at the Pepsi Center gift shops was "an excess of inventory," but it was a harbinger if there ever was one — Carmelo Anthony jerseys, 50 percent off. It's quite possible that Melo played his last game at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night. No, Anthony has not officially said he would agree to a trade to New Jersey. But all this could happen within the week; Denver plays at San Antonio tonight and then comes back home Wednesday. The plan remains for the Nuggets to cook up the deal, likely to the Nets, and present it to Anthony, who Saturday spoke about the Nuggets . . . and his future elsewhere. Asked Saturday what it would take for him to sign a three-year extension,"
Nuggets awaiting, planning for blockbuster trade
January 13
Denver Post
 columnist Benjamin Hochman
"The two architects gazed from afar at the cracking foundation. Nuggets executives Josh Kroenke and Masai Ujiri stood side by side Wednesday, watching Carmelo Anthony shoot jumpers after practice. Whether it's in hours, days or weeks, Melo will soon be gone — and the Nuggets' franchise blown up. Because Melo has forced the Nuggets to trade their foundation by refusing to sign a contract extension, the Nuggets' leaders believe the best way to start over is not tinkering around the edges, but building from the bottom up. And that means a wholesale roster shake-up is coming. Nothing is official yet, and Nuggets executives have rarely spoken publicly about their intentions during the drawn-out"
Sources: Carmelo Anthony slowing deal
January 12
ESPN.com
 
"In the end, the biggest holdup in a trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey may be Anthony himself. According to several league sources, Anthony has not told anyone, not even his representatives, that he will sign a contract extension with the Nets. One source who has spoken with Anthony since trade talks between Denver, New Jersey and Detroit became public last weekend said the Nuggets forward has never even hinted at signing with New Jersey."
Deal cloud hangs over Nets practice
January 11
New York Post
 
"What one person saw as a snag, another saw as negotiations. What was a mood of glowing optimism the previous day became gnawing frustration. And what was perceived to be a process heading to an imminent resolution 24 hours earlier evolved into a waiting game with no definitive end in sight. The Nets continued negotiations with the Nuggets yesterday in an attempt to close the blockbuster trade for Carmelo Anthony. The three-team, 14-player trade appeared ready to reach agreement over the weekend, when several sources described it as "close." But with the details still being worked out, the process is dragging and the optimism that pervaded the Nets organization has taken a hit, though there"
Melo blow-by-blow: Denver driving hard bargain
January 11
CBSSports.com
 
"The framework of a blockbuster, three-team trade that could send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey began coming together Thursday and Friday, but there were miles to go -- not inches -- before the complicated scenario could come together. After a whirlwind 72 hours marked by acrimony, destabilizing attempts from multiple stakeholders and even a funeral that one executive involved had to attend, the best thing that can be said Monday about the proposed deal is that the Nets and Nuggets are still communicating. Judging from the hurt feelings and frustration that has built up among some of the participants, that is an accomplishment almost as remarkable as the ambitious framework of the deal"
Nuggets threaten to trade 'Melo to N.Y.
January 11
Yahoo! Sports
 columnist Adrian Wojnarowski
"Before resuming trade talks for Carmelo Anthony on Monday, the Denver Nuggets delivered a stern warning to the New Jersey Nets: Unless the public nature of these trade discussions becomes private, be warned that we will send Anthony to the New York Knicks. Nothing else the Nuggets could've said would send such chills of unease through the Nets, and that's why Denver made the threat, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Would the Nuggets do such a thing out of spite? Would they take a lesser package out of vengeance? No one could be sure, but it sure delivered one more element of drama and intrigue to these trade talks. Indeed, the tone of the discussions between the Nuggets and Nets"
Carmelo Anthony: Trade Rumors Just 'Speculation'
January 10
AOL Fanhouse
 
"Carmelo Anthony seems so sure he won't soon be traded to New Jersey he uttered the same phrase five straight times. That's right. Five times. Asked if Sunday's 96-87 loss to New Orleans at the Pepsi Center was his last game with Denver due to numerous reports about a possible imminent exit, the forward said, "Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. Just not at all.'' OK, he did vary the last phrase a bit. Pressed for some new material, Anthony then was asked if that's an indication he hasn't agreed to sign an extension with New Jersey, which many believe is the only way the Nets would deal for him. "I haven't heard anything on that,'' Anthony said. "It's just been speculation as of"
Nets close to landing Anthony
January 10
Yahoo! Sports
 columnist Adrian Wojnarowski
"After a final, furious push over the weekend that included near-deals, waffling, misunderstandings and growing acrimony between the two sides, the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets are close to completing a complicated three-team trade to send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Nets and Detroit Pistons believed they had an arrangement in place Sunday that would've sent Anthony, Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups and Pistons guard Richard Hamilton to the Nets as part of the blockbuster deal. Once the Nets and Pistons worked out the details of a side component to the 13-player deal on Sunday afternoon, the two teams were surprised to find Denver general"
Pistons, Nets still considering trade involving Richard Hamilton
January 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Richard Hamilton entered the game at the 1:17 mark of the first quarter in tonight's game against the 76ers. But how long will he remain a member of the Pistons? The Pistons were still communicating with the Nets, but it appears that the original three-way deal with the Nuggets is still on the table. The Pistons passed on an offer that would have sent Hamilton and a first-round draft pick to the Nets. The Pistons would get New Jersey forward Troy Murphy (and his expiring contract) and center Johan Petro. The deal would allow the Nets to land coveted superstar Carmelo Anthony. The Pistons are not giving up a potential lottery pick in any deal and aren't keen on taking back the three years"
Nuggets want five picks for 'Melo
December 31
Yahoo! Sports
 columnist Adrian Wojnarowski
"The Denver Nuggets believe the New Jersey Nets are so desperate to make a deal for Carmelo Anthony that they're holding firm on a trade demand of five future first-round draft picks as part of a package to land the All-Star forward, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. "Denver needs to get real," one front-office executive said. "That's not happening." Even so, Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke and general manager Masai Ujiri privately insist they're going to make a team pay a steep price for their franchise player. After a moratorium on Anthony talks because of the death of his sister and the holidays, the Nuggets and Nets will resume discussions next week. There's still too much posturing to"
Murphy 'roles' with punches on Nets bench
December 29
New York Post
 
"Virtually every day, Troy Murphy sees or hears his name mentioned prominently regarding the Nets. Not in the boxscore or in future plans but usually attached to phrases such as "desirable expiring contract" or "attractive Nets trade chip." Murphy, essentially a career starter -- 477 of his 621 games before this season were starts -- is now a bench guy. He is waiting to hear whether he's going to Denver as part of a package for Carmelo Anthony or headed to a team that wants that $11.9 million contract to go free-agent shopping. "It's kind of a different situation than I've been accustomed to, the role I'm playing this year and all that stuff. With that and the way the season has gone, it's"
Carmelo Anthony trade talks heat up
December 22
New York Post
 
"Devin Harris has been through it before. So, too, has Troy Murphy. It's all new for Derrick Favors but the rookie claims he is unaffected. But they can't escape the trade talk surrounding the Nets' possible acquisition of Carmelo Anthony -- a move that likely would put all three in new zip codes. The Nets have intensified their pursuit, attempting to incorporate more teams and bring back more talent in an effort to appease the Nuggets and Anthony, who does not want to come to a wasteland team. "I don't pay attention to it," said Favors, a likely key piece in any deal. "I just go about my business, go out, play hard and whatever happens, happens." "Been there, done that," Harris, who joined"
Nets structuring new deal for Anthony
December 21
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets are advancing on another complicated multiteam trade proposal that would likely fit Carmelo Anthony's criteria for signing a contract extension with the Nets, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Anthony is inclined to accept a trade and contract extension with New Jersey over his preferred choice of New York only if the Nets are able to bring back a package of significant talent with him, league sources involved in the talks said on Monday. So far, there are trade scenarios that include a combination of Anthony's Denver teammates – including forward Al Harrington – and other league players coming to the Nets. "The way this is structured now, the Nets"
Troy Murphy in a tough spot with Nets
December 21
Bergen Record
 
"Avery Johnson easily described his new backup point guard, Sasha Vujacic, as "positive energy." But the Nets' coach still is struggling to define veteran forward Troy Murphy's status. Both players had a big impact in Sunday's 89-82 win against Atlanta, though Murphy isn't assured of getting a similar chance tonight at Memphis. "I really don't know what to expect. I have no idea," said Murphy, who scored eight points and had five rebounds in 22 minutes Sunday at Prudential Center. "All I can do is prepare myself to be in the best shape I can be." The Sparta native hasn't made any demands on the Nets, but he's been clear in his dissatisfaction. "I've not accepted it, not at all. Nor do I"
Playing time isn't everything for Nets' Troy Murphy
December 21
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Troy Murphy has been around long enough to know he shouldn't make too much of what happened in Sunday's game. Murphy has become the Nets' invisible man this season, and he doesn't believe the fact that he came off the bench Sunday to help the Nets beat the Atlanta Hawks is going to do much to change that. Asked Monday whether he thought his key eight-point, five-rebound showing in the 89-82 win might lead to more playing time, Murphy was blunt. "Nah, nah,'' he said. "Nope.'' But Murphy also insisted that he has not resigned himself to the fact that there appears to be no meaningful role for him on the team. "I have not accepted it,'' he said, before the Nets boarded a flight to Memphis for"
Trade-bait Murphy not 'Melo about vague Nets role
December 21
New York Post
 
"On Sunday, Troy Murphy was an important part of a Nets victory. Yesterday, he was back trying to decipher when or if he would play again, a limbo situation he said he can't accept. "Not even close. I have not accepted it, not at all," said Murphy, who has no idea of his status for tonight's game against the Grizzlies. "This is not a role I'm accustomed to, and nor do I expect it to continue. I do not accept it at all." He might not have to deal with it much longer because on any given day, Murphy could be traded, possibly as part of a package for Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony. "I know it's a business. My name's been in there before, it'll be in there again," Murphy said of the ongoing"