“We’re excited to have Jason and Troy in the fold through the 2004-05 season,” said St. Jean. “We think both of these young men are going to be very special players and will be the key to our future success.”

Richardson

Richardson, 22, averaged career-best figures in scoring (15.6 ppg), rebounds (4.6 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg) in 82 games last season. He established new single-season career bests in several other offensive categories, including three-point shooting (.368 3FG%) and free throw shooting (.764 FT%). The Michigan State product also won the 2003 Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk contest and joined only Michael Jordan (1987 & 1988) as the only players to win back-to-back dunk contests.

Murphy

Murphy, 22, averaged career-best figures in scoring (10.2 ppg), rebounds (11.7 rpg) and assists (1.3 apg) last season. He was one of only five players in the NBA last season to average a point/rebound double-double and finished third in balloting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. He was also the only player in the NBA to improve both his scoring (+5.8 points) and rebounding (+6.3 rebounds) averages by at least +5.0 per game. Murphy’s +6.3 rebounding per game increase was the highest in the NBA.