Well, it’s official. No luck trading him so we’re buying him out. More time for Murray to shoot McDonald’s commericals.

AUBURN HILLS — The Pistons, as expected, placed guard Flip Murray on waivers Friday. If he clears waivers, the Pistons will buy him out of his contract and he will be free to sign with another team.

To fill the vacant roster spot, Pistons president Joe Dumars is poking around looking to add another big man. Former Piston Dale Davis, who hasn’t played all season, is only one candidate. Dumars said he was considering other candidates, though he would not name names. Presumably, P.J. Brown, who also hasn’t played all season, is one of those candidates. (Via Detroit News)

That’s the first I’ve heard of Brown. I like P.J. Brown, but isn’t he asking like 5 mil for his services? I thought that’s what has kept him from rejoining the Hornets. Also, what about Jamaal Magloire who was recently waived by the Nets?

Is Ronald Murray a thespian? You cannot convince me that’s not him playing the dad in this McDonalds commercial. How low can ‘ya go? Can ‘ya go down low???




Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com runs down a list of the 10 players most likely to be traded in the NBA. Flip Murray comes in at #6, which really shouldn’t be news to Pistons fans. I don’t think the Pistons will aggressively shop Flip until we get to see how Rodney Stuckey fits into the equation. He also goes onto say that the Pistons are looking to make a spot for Chris Webber (parting with Nazr Mohammed & Ronald Dupree) which is contrary to what we’ve heard from Dumars and his plans to commit to the team’s youth in the front court. We’ve been told that Joe Dumars is not looking to acquire veteran big men. This kind of sounds like a preseason relic when Nazr and Flip were all but traded in the media.

Then, when you scroll down to #8, Walter Herrmann, Sheridan reveals:

The Pistons are among the contending teams that would be willing to take a flyer on the forward who many remember as the difference-maker when Argentina defeated the U.S. in the semifinals of the Athens Olympics.

Herrmann really isn’t getting the minutes in Charlotte and his numbers reflect that. He’s a 28 year old 6′9″ forward. I’m not really sure how he figures into what the Pistons are doing. The only thing I an think of is maybe Dumars is looking to pick up a white guy so people can stop accusing him of being racist? Of course that’s in jest as I know that’s not the type of thing that determines personnel decisions with Joe D.

TRADE TALK - A. Sherrod Blakely is reporting that the Pistons have been talking to the Nuggets about a Flip Murray for J.R. Smith deal. One snag seems to be that the Pistons want to include Ronald Dupree which the Nuggets may not want.

As Blakely also points out is J.R. Smith has his baggage. I like what I’ve seen so far from Flip Murray this preseason and really wouldn’t be interested in bringing J.R. Smith to the Motor City. He’s had some run ins already this year with coach George Karl. Very talented guy, but not worth the risk.

Update: from Chris McCosky’s blog:

As intriguing as it may have sounded, the Pistons are not trading Flip Murray and Ron Dupree to Denver for J.R. Smith. Just talked briefly with Joe Dumars. The Nuggets are trying to move the oft-troubled Smith, and they had mentioned Flip Murray. But the Pistons aren’t doing the deal. Smith has well-documented issues both on and off the court (character issues and basketball IQ issues) that far overshadow his occasional offensive productivity. The Pistons don’t feel like that have to take that kind of risk right now.

Also confirmed by Free Press’ Krista Jahnke (via DBB)