that Murray scrub wants to be a starter? He hasn't shown anything that qualifies him for a starter- nowhere in this league. Dude needs to shut up and work harder- there aren't many coaches around who'd give him such an huge amount of minutes like he's getting here.

His contract is such a low value, it's really not in anyone's interest to trade him.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

This is my problem with murray, if he's only going to be here for a year, you need to play someone you have locked up long term. you need to rely on some guys. not just send them out there to fill their minutes quota.

Flip is a capable player but once he's gone we will still have some under developed guys and then what? Another mercenary to come in and be dissatisfied with his role.

it wasn't about his abilities. I think he's does what he is asked ok.

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Allow me to talk nerd to y'all for a minute.

Flip is playing on a contract known as the Bi-Annual Exception. His second year is a player option. This means he must opt out of his contract (dissolving it) before he can enter the free agent pool. While under contract to Detroit, neither he nor his agent are allowed to negotiate with other teams. Of course there are workarounds to this, picture the agent and reps from a team writing emails in code or whispered conversations in a dark, smokey, underground strip club.

Now the Bi-Annual as it goes is not a lot of money. It's less than half of the AVERAGE player salary. Can Flip do better?

Well, that is where it gets tricky. Many teams are over the soft cap, which means they only have 2 exceptions to offer to new free agents. The Bi-Annual (Flip already is on a deal like this) and the Mid-Level Exception. The Mid-Level is based off the average player salary which is approx. $5 million to start. And those teams will be looking to fill needs with their Mid-Level.

Does Flip Murray fill a free agent need for anyone? That's the big question.

Now, let's say Flip stays and Chauncey stays. Rip is under contract as well. He's not going to see a lot of minutes in his second year as a Piston unless someone gets injured. Of course, Blalock will be here, as well as Lindsey, possibly Acker (remote in my opinion) and of course Delfino. Feel free to include one more incoming rookie unless the Pistons max out on size in the draft.

Where does that leave Flip? After his second year, he will be an unrestricted free agent, and able to sign anywhere, but under the same constraints and similar market conditions if he was to opt out after one year.

So who can pay him the money he craves? And it is money and security because Flip turned down the Pistons Mid-level this year when they thought Ben was coming back. I don't think the money bothered him, it was the playing time. But two years older, he's not likely to become a starter on a good team with a big paycheck. Those teams will be trying out rookies, because the most overstocked positions are combo guard and swingman.

The Pistons. The Pistons can pay Flip if they want him, and it won't affect their ability to spend in free agency because he will qualify for the Early Bird Exception. That's a two year deal starting at around $5 million.

Flip lost his big payday blowing off the Pistons offer last offseason. I don't see him making that up anytime soon. And in a league drawing talent from overseas and a deeper college draft, I don't see him stepping into a starting role anywhere.

This is a situation where Dumars got lucky when Flip blew off the Pistons earlier offer, and now Joe sits in the driver's seat (in my opinion) with regards to the future of Flip Murray.

Some food for thought. Feel free to pick my post apart. If I am wrong on something, it's good to know.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

I agree with Slippy. Murray hasn't shown me enough to think he is going to be a Piston all-star. Half of the "tough shots" that he makes are because he has to. I mean he forces himself and the team into desperation shots because of his dribbling. I can't even count how many times he slow dribbles down to the baseline into a double team to have to make his 180 degree turn-around jumper. He makes the game harder on himself and his teammates with his decisions.

That is one of the main reasons I am for Delfino getting more of his minutes. Even at his age it seems Delfino has a high basketball IQ and doesn't put himself and the team in those situations. Delfino is going to be a good NBA player soon. I sure would like to see him blossom here with the Pistons. I think given enough time with Blaylock; they could become a very potent back-up tandem to CB and Rip. Sure would like to see them get an opportunity.

Let's see, in a normal world, with a normal player, everything you've said would be right. But Flip aint normal. 6th mans, on top teams, working on a contract year, don't complain about not getting starter minutes. Flip should listen to Delfino, Delfino just wanted to play, he didn't care about the minutes, he just wanted some minutes. I bet Flip would rather start for the Knicks than play off the bench for Detroit, Dallas, San Antonio, ect.

Something is off with Murray, he has too much talent to be on his 4th team in 5 years. Cleveland made zero effort to resign him. Only Joe was even willing to offer him the bi-level. Look at Flip's ability, and the fact Joe was the only person willing to offer him a contract tells me that the guy has some serious issues. And interviews like this don't change my mind.

Joe offered the contract cause it was a cheap gamble. Flip would play hard because it was a contract year, Joe gets a free look at resigning Flip next year. But, considering Delfino's play this year, and rumors about Blaylock, no way Joe even offers Flip a contract, even if Flip wanted to stay.

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Well, we could always package Flip and Delfino for Bonzi Wells, since he also signed for much less money. That would give us a legit 3 guard rotation and make room for Blalock as well.

The only thing that will change execs mind about Flip from last years free agency snuff would be if he blew up in the playoffs (while GM's watch from their recliners)... I'm concerned that this season will become Jr.'s showcase while forgetting about his teammates

I kind of got the impression from the start that it was going to be a one year deal. He signed for so cheap that he has nothing to lose by opting out.

Just buying us time utill one of these projects pans out. Plus as Ros pointed out one of those late 1st rounders is bound to be a guard.

Here's a take from his past team. This is the Sonic's fan blog. These guys are great, IMHO.

Supersonicsoul: The unofficial blog of the Seattle Supersonics. Seriously.