National Basketball Association

Source: Nets in talks for Troy Murphy

Published Feb. 23, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Nets and Warriors have a deal in place that would send Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric to New Jersey for Troy Murphy and a 2012 second-round pick, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Golden State was expected to wait until Thursday's NBA trade deadline in case there was an offer for more draft picks, said the Warriors would likely buy out Murphy's contract to make him a free agent.

Wright's and Gadzuric's contracts - worth about $11 million combined this year, the same as Murphy's - also expire at the end of the season and would help New Jersey clear salary cap space. Both Wright and Gadzuric were held out of Golden State's practice Wednesday.

The Warriors have been fielding calls for weeks trying to stockpile draft picks, a strategy new owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber have said is a priority.

Golden State gave up its 2012 second-round pick to New Jersey in a deal for Marcus Williams in 2008.

After missing out on bigger moves, the Warriors have a trade in place that would land them that pick back. But they have no interests in retaining Murphy in the deal.

Murphy was taken by the Warriors with the 14th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft. He was dealt to Indiana in 2007 and traded to New Jersey before this season.

The 6-foot-11, 245-pound center would draw strong interest from playoff teams who are looking for another big man, such as Orlando, Miami and Dallas. Murphy is averaging 11.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in his career but played only 18 games with the Nets because of injuries this season.

The Nets also made a blockbuster trade Wednesday to acquire All-Star point guard Deron Williams from Utah. They sent rookie Derrick Favors and point guard Devin Harris to the Jazz in that deal and a 2011 first-round pick.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Wednesday's potential deal with the Warriors.