The Golden State Warriors have signed guard Jason Richardson and forward Troy Murphy to multi-year contract extensions, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not announced.
"We are very happy that we were able to sign both of these players to extensions that will keep them in the fold for many years to come," Mullin said. "We think very highly of Jason and Troy, both as players and as people. We feel that with their talent, continued growth and development, they are going to be important parts of our success - not only this season, but in the future."
Richardson, 23, led the Warriors in scoring in 2003-04 during a season in which he averaged 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.10 steals in a team-high 27.6 minutes per game. The 6-6 guard ranked 20th in the NBA in scoring and his rebounding average was tops among all NBA guards. Additionally, Richardson established career-highs in several categories last season, including scoring, field goal percentage (.438), rebounding and minutes played. Originally the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, Richardson has appeared in 240 games with Golden State, averaging 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.18 steals in 34.0 minutes per contest. The Michigan State product won back-to-back NBA Slam Dunk Contests in 2002 and 2003, joining Michael Jordan (1987 & 1988) as the only players in league history to win consecutive dunk titles.
"I would like to thank Christopher Cohan, Chris Mullin and the entire Warriors organization for the faith they are showing in me by signing this extension," Richardson said. "This is where I want to live and this is where I want to play, and I look forward to helping this team get to the next level."
Murphy, 24, appeared in 28 games in 2003-04, averaging 10.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per contest, while missing 54 games due to injury. In 2002-03, the Notre Dame product appeared in 79 games (all starts) and averaged 11.7 points, 10.2 rebounds (5th in NBA) and 1.3 assists in 31.8 minutes - finishing as one of only five players in the league (who met the statistical minimums) to average a point/rebound double-double. For his efforts that season, he finished third in balloting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Originally selected by the Warriors with the 14th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, the 6-11 forward has appeared in 189 games and has averaged 8.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 24.2 minutes per contest.
"I would also like to thank Mr. Cohan, Chris Mullin and the Warriors," Murphy said. "I think this is a great day for myself, for Jason and for the Warriors. This is where we have wanted to be all along and we are excited that this was able to get done. Now we can move forward and help this team continue to improve."
