LOW-RISK AND HIGH-REWARD DEAL

Troy Murphy stuffs one in.

New Jersey Nets General Manager Billy King describes the acquisition of power forward Troy Murphy from the Indiana Pacers as a “low-risk and high-reward” deal, according to NJ.com. The transaction was part of a four-team trade that was consummated between the Nets, Pacers, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets. King said Murphy, who is New Jersey native, fits the bill in the team’s urgent need of a quality power forward. The 6-11 former Notre Dame star is a nine-year veteran with career averages of 12.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg in 621 total games with the Golden State Warriors and the Pacers. Murphy was the 14th pick over-all in the 2001 NBA rookie draft by the Warriors.

“When I looked at the team, and talking with Avery (Johnson) about where we are, I think Derrick Favors is going to be an All-Star down the road. But I felt we were a little thin at the power forward spot, and looking at Brook Lopez -- and looking at how I think Avery wanted to coach -- one of the players who stood out to me right away was Troy Murphy.

“He’s a player who could start if need be, teach Derrick about the power forward position, and play with Brook. A proven pro, a great rebounder, can shoot the 3. It was something I felt when you have a chance to get a big man in this league, you have to go for it because there’s not a lot of big men in this league. You win with big guys and you win with rebounding.”