MURPH MOVES TO WARRIORS FOR TWO
The Golden State Warriors acquired power forward-center Troy Murphy and a 2012 2nd-round draft pick from the New Jersey Nets for power forward Brandan Wright and center Dan Gadzuric.
What does it give the Golden State Warriors
The disappointing Wright and journeyman Gadzuric aren't part of Golden State's core, and both have expiring contracts--so moving them here doesn't affect Golden State much at all right now. Getting the rights to Murphy, however, does give them solid building-block options. They can simply buy out the rest of his expiring deal (making him a free agent) and thus free up roughly $12 million for next season. Then again, they could also trade Murphy's rights to a contender and get some assets in return. It's ironic in a way that the Warriors aren't expected to keep Murphy (since they're desperate for a center) but at least they clear up salary and give themselves more options here (including the 2012 2nd-rounder).
What does it give the New Jersey Nets
The Nets are undergoing a full-on overhaul (witness their Deron Williams blockbuster), and bringing in Wright and Gadzuric only adds to that approach. If they let the two leave after this season (since both are pending free agents) it frees up roughly $10.6 million of salary. If they decide to bring back the promising Wright by re-signing him, it shouldn't be too expensive (since he's been an injury-prone bust since getting picked with the No. 8 overall selection of the 2007 NBA Draft). New Jersey won't miss the second-rounder, and they may just use the salary to ink a top free agent (say, a needed shooting guard or small forward). Losing Murphy isn't a big deal for them either, as he was essentially de-activated by the team for most of this season (with Kris Humphries stepping up as the starter, which he should now remain).
Fantasy impact
