Rumor: More Interest in Mike Dunleavy than Troy Murphy on the Trade Market

by Atma Brother ONE on Dec 28, 2006 11:36 AM PST in Rumors

In Chris Sheridan's column Who's next to be traded? for ESPN.com he lists ten players most likely to be traded. Surprisingly the Warrior forward making the list wasn't Troy "Trade Rumor" Murphy, but instead Mike Dunleavy. At #9 on the list:

Mike Dunleavy
We were tempted to put him higher on this list, but various voices around the league cautioned there's more smoke than fire here, in large part because of his base-year compensation status, although there's still more interest in Junior than there is in another Warrior long rumored to be on the block, Troy Murphy.

Plus Murph gives you an extra left-handed hitter.

Trading Mike Dunleavy before his contract becomes an expiring deal? I'll believe it when I see it. Dunleavy's contract seems like it would be harder to move than the other terrible ones haunting the Warriors salary cap. Troy Murphy doesn't play much defense and is limited in the post, but his rebounding and outside shooting (when paired up with a complementary low post presence) are an asset. Adonal Foyle is one of the least athletic and unskilled players in this league, but off the bench for 15 minutes a night he provides some solid defense, rebounding, and shot blocking. To teams looking to make a playoff run, Murphy and Foyle could be assets and help fill in some holes off the bench. On the other hand, Dunleavy does nothing especially well for a 6'9 230 pound forward with the mindset of a point guard.

There is nothing stellar or spectacular about his shooting, rebounding, passing, driving ability, or defense. At the age of 26 and in his 5th season Dunleavy is what he is- an average NBA bench player. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't help his trade value that he lost his starting spot to Mickael Pietrus and journey-man Matt Barnes. Why would another NBA squad want to make a trade for Dunleavy when he's getting paid like a star? Unless clueless GM's like Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale or even Coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. of the Paper Clips are involved, it's tough to see there being much interest around the league for Dunleavy.

The 5 year 44 million dollar extension that the Warriors front office handed to Mike Dunleavy before last season has to be the most puzzling of the big money deals (Adonal Foyle, Derek Fisher, and Troy Murphy) that Chris Mullin and crew dished out. Dunleavy was coming off a season in which he struggled, but finished reasonably strong with the arrival of Baron Davis (BD made EVERYONE look good in the final stretch of the 2004-2005 season including Zarko Cabarkapa). Dunleavy was entering the final year of his rookie deal and was set to be a restricted free agent, meaning that at the end of last season the Warriors would still be able to match any offer he received from another team. And you know the rest- Dunleavy went on to have arguably the worst season of his pro career and NBA front offices suddenly became thrifty last summer for restricted free agents such as Chris Wilcox and Drew Gooden, who could only negotiate 3 year tenders for less money than they probably expected. The Warriors front office for some reason panicked on the Dunleavy extension and outbid themselves.

If you were running the front office of one of the other 29 NBA teams, who would you be more interested in trading for given their skillsets and contracts- Mike Dunleavy or Troy Murphy?

99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!

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Comments

Dunleavy has more value than Murphy becuz...

he can play multiple positions and he is a "chemistry" guy, a "glue guy" who is can do more things than Murphy.

And while Murphy produces at a higher clip than Dunleavy...Jr still has talent that is intriguing for teams, especially since he is performing better today than at any other point in his career.

Between Foyle, Dunleavy, and Murphy, one of these 3 MUST go before the deadline, and the odds on favorite is Dunleavy.

If I'm a GM, he's the only one I'd target.

by bigcity7 on Dec 28, 2006 12:14 PM PST reply actions

GMs

Any GM that would trade for either Troy Murphy or Mike Dunleavy should be immediately fired. Who in their right mind would add these outrageous contracts to their payrolls (besides our GM)

by GoNellieGo on Dec 28, 2006 1:07 PM PST reply actions

Unskilled and Unathletic!

BULLhonkey!

You guys are just full of the Foyle diss, aren't you?

by Zorgon on Dec 28, 2006 4:09 PM PST reply actions

Dunleavy is vital to our team right now man

If i was a gm, i would rather have Dunleavy because he could play a lot of positions and as someone mentioned above, he is a glue guy. Only problem i have with him is Defense, and assertiveness other than i like his skills. And he;s the only warriors to have played all our games right now.

I want this fire to go back for Mike Dunleavy

by straightfromthebay on Dec 28, 2006 5:47 PM PST reply actions

From that list

I'd like the Warriors to try to trade for James Posey. He's a solid 3 that plays very good D. He's athletic, can score, and makes free throws.

He's not Maggette or Artest at the 3, but you know what you'll get with him and you won't have to give up as much. Plus his contract is up after the end of the season which will clear some cap space for signing Biedrins and Monta.

I think Miami might take a chance on Murphy. They're a half court team that can use his outside shooting touch when DWade drives or Shaq gets doubled. His defensive problems can be covered up by Shaq and Zo in the middle.

Murphy for Posey and Dorell Wright (Wright to make the salaries match).

by Fantasy Junkie on Dec 28, 2006 7:25 PM PST reply actions

He is a chemistry guy, a glue guy?

Yeah, Like those crappy toy chemistry sets that when you make glue with them it don't stick.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Dec 28, 2006 7:37 PM PST reply actions

i'd keep foyle

the one time in my life i'll say (and agree with) this, "you can't teach height" (and shotblocking)

by dj fuzzylogic on Dec 28, 2006 8:43 PM PST reply actions

Please, remember

GS controls Beedy and Monta for next year, and have the right to match any offer for MP if we choose ... if we make a trade it should be to improve our playoff chances or our long term roster.

by hardcore on Dec 29, 2006 11:06 PM PST reply actions

Murphy or Dunleavy

If I was a GM, I would take neither. I don't like the fact that both are atorcious defenders who are slow a foot, and unathletic. The Mruphy-Dunleavy-Foyle frontline of last year probably was the most unathletic frontline in the game.

However, I would choose one of those guys depending on what kind of team I have. If I am the GM of the Heat (with a healthy Shaq), Rockets, Spurs, Pacers, or Magic, then I'm taking Murphy. All of those teams have dominant post players who draw a lot of attention (double and triple teams). Having Murphy on one of those squads would give him the opportunity to hit open shots by virtue of the post player drawing multiple defenders. Conversely, Murphy could keep defenses honest and give more room for the dominant post player to operate.

If you're looking for a player who can play multiple positions, and do a number of things well, then Dunleavy is your guy. I could have a Dunleavy type player on a team like the Warriors or the Mavericks. But he would simply be a bench player. Dunleavy would match up better against players 6-10 on the other teams instead of players in the starting 5.

So to answer the question. Choosing between one or the other would depend on what kind of team you have and what your needs are.

by friscoballer415 on Jan 1, 2007 12:50 PM PST reply actions