http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2520208 It appears that the Detroit Pistons have cornered the market on Flips in the NBA. The team came to terms with free agent Ronald "Flip" Murray on Friday on a two-year, $3.6 million deal, a league source told ESPN.com. The team had been looking for a combo guard who could penetrate to the basket and produce instant offense off the bench and Murray appears to be a perfect fit. Murray made a name for himself two years ago in Seattle when he was inserted into the starting lineup on opening night after Ray Allen suffered an injury and scored 20 or more points in 10 of his first 11 games. Even more perfect for the Pistons was the price at which they got him. The Pistons originally offered the majority of their mid-level exception to Murray, but Murray hesitated to take it, hoping to get a more lucrative deal elsewhere. In the meantime, the Pistons found out that they were losing Ben Wallace and made Nazr Mohamed an offer. When Mohammed accepted, Murray was left without a big suitor. In the end, the Pistons were able to fill both their needs -- adding a center to replace Wallace and adding some scoring punch to their backcourt. While no one is pretending that the Pistons are going to be better without Wallace, they are adding some depth to what once was a paper thin rotation. Expect Murray, Carlos Delfino and Antonio McDyess to give the Pistons a legit eight-man rotation next year.
...And another one bites the dust... Well it looks like the Pistons are abandoning any hopes of maintaining a defensive identity. Seems like they'll be a lot more offensive-minded, but Flip will give them nice scoring punch off the bench. God knows he would not see a lick of time had Brown still been coaching the team.
A whole lot of people on this board will be relieved to hear this. I'm indifferent. But what the hell? Now they've got Flip, Flip and Rip?
Their going fast and we are just watching all the FA's pass us by. Why isn't the front office doing something ?
From what CD said recently they may not spend the TE etc as we anticipate. Not sure what happens to Bonzi - now that detroit seemed to be headed in a different direction. If he goes for money then he will sign with Sacto. And while Drew gooden is not everything- but he would be an upgrade at a PF. ( If Clevaland goes with Banks then Gooden would be available) I am a little surprised that Jumaine Jones is not on the Radar for Rockets.
Damn I didn't really like Flip Muarry but I wouldn't mind him on the team if we got him for that price.
Bonzi Wells will either re-sign with Sacramento or go to Indiana via sign-and-trade. By doing a sign-and-trade of Peja to the Hornets, Indy got a $7.5M TPE, which means they can easily work a sign-and-trade for Bonzi, assuming Sacramento is interested in compensation for him. Drew Gooden is not coming to Houston for the MLE. Period. While I like Jumaine Jones as well, I doubt the Rockets get him. With the additions of Battier, Snyder and Novak, the Rockets are loaded with SF backups to McGrady. If Jones were more of a SG rather than a SF/PF, then I'd say the Rockets would definitely go after him. I heard that the Nuggets are close to signing Jones.
He's lucky to get that contract, since he's still resting on the laurels of being the scorer in Allan's absence 152 years ago.
