Should we give Troy Murphy another shot?

[greg_kite]

As far as free agent big men available that would possibly sign with the Celtics I think Murphy is near the top of the list.  Almost everyone else will be pursued by teams with more cap space.  Yeah, we'd all like Dalembert but he's getting more than the midlevel.

Heck, if J.O. retires there would be zero centers on the team.  I don't even project him as a center but if there are no other options he could at least fill in part time.

If he can came anywhere near as good as he was in Indiana or Golden State he could give the C's a look they haven't had for a while.  Rondo and four guys that can hit the outside shot.  It could seriously open things up for Rondo.

[timpiker]

WHO?

[Eja117]

He needs to work out and prove he can outplay young and hungry guys.  Otherwise I don't see the point

[greg_kite]

As far as free agent big men available that would possibly sign with the Celtics I think Murphy is near the top of the list.  Almost everyone else will be pursued by teams with more cap space.  Yeah, we'd all like Dalembert but he's getting more than the midlevel.

Heck, if J.O. retires there would be zero centers on the team.  I don't even project him as a center but if there are no other options he could at least fill in part time.

If he can came anywhere near as good as he was in Indiana or Golden State he could give the C's a look they haven't had for a while.  Rondo and four guys that can hit the outside shot.  It could seriously open things up for Rondo.

You know what?  I jumped the gun on this reply.  There are a good amount of role player types that would fit in much better than Murphy.

I agree with other people, if we can get him for the minimum as a fifth big man it would be great.  He could be a good situational player where you need another shooter on the floor.

But I'd much rather go after these guys:
Midlevel:Andrei Kirilenko
Kenyon Martin
Yao Ming
Greg Oden
Split the midlevel between these two:Ryan Hollins
Josh McRoberts
Bi Annual:Eric Dampier
Kryolo Fesenko
Dan Gadzuric
Minimum:Leon Powe!
Jamaal Magloire
DJ Mbenga
Francisco Elson

[OsirusCeltics]

As far as free agent big men available that would possibly sign with the Celtics I think Murphy is near the top of the list.  Almost everyone else will be pursued by teams with more cap space.  Yeah, we'd all like Dalembert but he's getting more than the midlevel.

Heck, if J.O. retires there would be zero centers on the team.  I don't even project him as a center but if there are no other options he could at least fill in part time.

If he can came anywhere near as good as he was in Indiana or Golden State he could give the C's a look they haven't had for a while.  Rondo and four guys that can hit the outside shot.  It could seriously open things up for Rondo.

You know what?  I jumped the gun on this reply.  There are a good amount of role player types that would fit in much better than Murphy.

I agree with other people, if we can get him for the minimum as a fifth big man it would be great.  He could be a good situational player where you need another shooter on the floor.

But I'd much rather go after these guys:
Midlevel:Andrei Kirilenko
Kenyon Martin
Yao Ming
Greg Oden
Split the midlevel between these two:Ryan Hollins
Josh McRoberts
Bi Annual:Eric Dampier
Kryolo Fesenko
Dan Gadzuric
Minimum:Leon Powe!
Jamaal Magloire
DJ Mbenga
Francisco Elson

This is what I want. To be realistic, we won't get much from free agency this year. That is a perfect combo. Both energy guys who can rebound very well. Great on defense. And able to put up points themselves

[OsirusCeltics]

Did Doc ever give him a first shot?

He wasn't bad, should have gotten more minutes. I would love to have him back. More in game shape, can rebound and spread the floor. He can be the 3rd center in the depth chart

One hundred percent agree. The bigger question ought to be would Troy Murphy give US another shot. He didn’t get a fair shot due to not being 100% and the timing of him coming back. Had Doc given him BBD’s minutes and let him play out the rest of the regular season and gotten back in the flow, he would have really helped us in the postseason.

If he’ll sign for a reasonable price then by all means we need to do it.

Yeah, I agree
Jeff Green and Murphy should have taken all of BBD's minutes

[greg_kite]

As far as free agent big men available that would possibly sign with the Celtics I think Murphy is near the top of the list.  Almost everyone else will be pursued by teams with more cap space.  Yeah, we'd all like Dalembert but he's getting more than the midlevel.

Heck, if J.O. retires there would be zero centers on the team.  I don't even project him as a center but if there are no other options he could at least fill in part time.

If he can came anywhere near as good as he was in Indiana or Golden State he could give the C's a look they haven't had for a while.  Rondo and four guys that can hit the outside shot.  It could seriously open things up for Rondo.

You know what?  I jumped the gun on this reply.  There are a good amount of role player types that would fit in much better than Murphy.

I agree with other people, if we can get him for the minimum as a fifth big man it would be great.  He could be a good situational player where you need another shooter on the floor.

But I'd much rather go after these guys:
Midlevel:Andrei Kirilenko
Kenyon Martin
Yao Ming
Greg Oden
Split the midlevel between these two:Ryan Hollins
Josh McRoberts
Bi Annual:Eric Dampier
Kryolo Fesenko
Dan Gadzuric
Minimum:Leon Powe!
Jamaal Magloire
DJ Mbenga
Francisco Elson

This is what I want. To be realistic, we won't get much from free agency this year. That is a perfect combo. Both energy guys who can rebound very well. Great on defense. And able to put up points themselves

Yeah, as I wrote it I realized that would be the best option.  Not sure we could get both for less than the midlevel.  McRoberts himself will probably get close to it.  He was the main piece in the near done O.J. Mayo trade so his value is probably higher than I have here.
But I'd love to see someone who can finish alley oops from Rondo and also block some shots.  Both those guys fit that description.

[dark_lord]

nope

[cman88]

Ryan hollins would certainly be a good option for having an athletic center whom can finish around the rim...I feel Rondo would make him a 10PPG guy...and being that the better teams in the east are now Smaller and more athletic he would be a good signing..and we can get him for less than the MLE

Kurt Thomas is also a cheap free agent out there..

I still I feel if Troy could get back into game shape, he could be the player he once was...defensively hes lacking. but the guy can hit the open shot...especially if Glen davis leaves we are going to need even more bigs...

[Who]

I don't think Ryan Hollins is a free agent. Hard to see opting out of that contract ($2.5mil), he won't do any better in the open market.

Anyway, even if he did, R.Hollins is only a third string quality center. Or at best a fourth big in the rotation playing 5-10 minutes a night.

He doesn't have enough quality to provide the Celtics with what they need from the center position. R.Hollins is a very poor rebounder. He only managed 2.7rpg in 17 minutes playing time last season. He has a very limited offensive game and while his defense has shown gradual improvement with each passing year ... he still a below average albeit serviceable defender.

There just isn't enough quality contributions for him to be an aid to this Celtics team. Not in the role they are looking to fill. As a third stringer, yes, he'd be very good.

Anyway, it likely won't matter either way since he is very unlikely to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer.

[Who]

Kurt Thomas is a good name. He can still provide quality interior defense and strong rebounding plus has a solid offensive packaged with his screen setting + midrange shooting.

Joel Przybilla is another interesting cheap option. Fairly risky though because of his uncertain health and the struggles he had on the court last season after returning from a long layoff with injury. Unclear what exactly he can provide. But if the options are limited ... taking a chance on Przybilla may be the best option.

[Jon]

Depends on Baby.  If we end up with another center and Baby, perhaps we don't really need Murphy.  However, if Baby walks, I'd certainly be interested to see if Murphy could backup KG. 

Even if Baby stays, at the minimum, Murphy couldn't hurt. 

[Finkelskyhook]

Depends on Baby.  If we end up with another center and Baby, perhaps we don't really need Murphy.  However, if Baby walks, I'd certainly be interested to see if Murphy could backup KG. 

Even if Baby stays, at the minimum, Murphy couldn't hurt. 

There is no way Murphy is going to be a minimum contract player. 

[aporel#18]

Depends on Baby.  If we end up with another center and Baby, perhaps we don't really need Murphy.  However, if Baby walks, I'd certainly be interested to see if Murphy could backup KG. 

Even if Baby stays, at the minimum, Murphy couldn't hurt. 

There is no way Murphy is going to be a minimum contract player. 

Could the Celtics resign him for the vet min plus some raise? I'd rather give another shot to the 2009 Murphy for the minimum, than to BBD for 3-4mil on a one-year deal.

Murphy can't play C, he has length but he lacks muscle, so he ideally should play the 4 as a better Scals, so he should be 11th or 12th player.

I hope the Celtics S&T or let BBD walk. He's got more talent than anyone in the free agent list, but he can't jump and he doesn't buy the team concept. I really liked his play, but everything is in his head.

as 2nd options in the frontcourt, the C's need a real 7-footer, 260 lbs. defensive guy, and another athletic PF. Troy would make a really fine 5th big.

[Jon]

Depends on Baby.  If we end up with another center and Baby, perhaps we don't really need Murphy.  However, if Baby walks, I'd certainly be interested to see if Murphy could backup KG. 

Even if Baby stays, at the minimum, Murphy couldn't hurt. 

There is no way Murphy is going to be a minimum contract player. 

Maybe.  But I wouldn't take that to a the bank.  Given the likelihood of additional financial constraints for all teams next year and the fact that Murphy hasn't done anything that even resembled adequate play on any NBA team the past year, I think it's quite possible he may only get minimum offers.