Posted by:
gwoelfel on
February 11, 2010 at
11:16PM CST
GERY WOELFEL
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t leaving any stone unturned.
With the NBA deadline fast approaching, the Bucks are exploring a wide-range of possibilities with the clear intention of obtaining a player to enhance their playoff chances.
It’s no secret the Bucks would like to obtain a veteran big man and a swingman. Troy Murphy of the Indiana Pacers would certainly fit the bill of the former.
Murphy, 29, is being shopped by the Pacers and the Bucks, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer recently reported, are among several teams that have an interest in him.
The Bucks have actually had their eyes on Murphy for a while. They appeared poised to acquire him several years ago when he played for the Golden State Warriors but backed off because of his hefty contract.
But Murphy’s salary doesn’t figure to be an obstacle now. Murphy, who is earning $11 million this season, has only one more season left on his contract and that is for $11.9 million.
The Bucks and Pacers have bandied about several players in exchange for the 6-foot-11 Murphy, who is averaging 14 points and 9.9 rebounds this season. One of those players is Ersan Ilyasova.
The Pacers want Ilyasova, but the Bucks don’t want to give him up. Ilyasova is only 22, capable of playing both forward positions and has flashed signs of becoming a big-time scorer.
While he is averaging a modest 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, Ilyasova has had five 20-plus games this season, including 25 against the New York and 24 against Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers.
He also had 20-point outing against Orlando and San Antonio, two of the best teams in the NBA.
The Pacers would also like veteran point guard Luke Ridnour, but apparently would still do the deal if he wasn’t included in the package.
Ridnour is having a quality season, averaging 11.1 points and 3.9 assists in 22 minutes while playing behind rookie Brandon Jennings.
He has shot the ball extremely well: 48 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 92 percent at the line.
While the Bucks have had serious discussions with the Pacers, they have also been in talks with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks are in the market for another big man and have more than a passing interest in Bucks veteran Kurt Thomas.
The Bucks have expressed interest in Hawks swingman Maurice Evans who isn’t much of an offensive threat -- 4.9 points in 15 minutes a game this season – but a stellar defender.
Because Thomas makes $3.8 million and Evans makes $2.5 million, the Hawks would have to throw in another player to make the deal work. One possibility would be Randolph Morris, a 24-year-old forward who makes $855,000. Morris is averaging 2.3 points in 22 games.
* Like many teams, the Bucks have looked into the possibility of acquiring two-time All-Star Caron Butler of the Washington Wizards.
However, with the Bucks unwilling to trade either Andrew Bogut or Brandon Jennings, they don’t have the necessary ammo to acquire the Racine native.
Butler’s name continues to be linked with the Dallas Mavericks, who are apparently willing to give up Josh Howard.
* Washington, New York and Houston haven’t pulled the plug on a much-discussed three-way trade, but I was told Thursday the deal wouldn’t likely go down.
It looks more and more like the Rockets and Tracy McGrady will agree on a buyout.
* All indicators point toward the Toronto Raptors holding onto superstar Chris Bosh, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.
* It’s been reported Charlotte coach Larry Brown wouldn’t mind coaching the 76ers next season.
I’m hearing Brown wouldn’t be opposed to coaching the Los Angeles Clippers, either.
* Bucks player rep Charlie Bell won’t be attending the players association meetings in Dallas this weekend and will instead spend time with his ailing grandfather.
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