Nets general manager Billy King says forward Troy Murphy could return to the team.

"Troy probably will, maybe will be joining us again -- be back with the team," King told Nets radio broadcaster Seth Everett. "He'd like to do that until something really does happen... Most likely, he may be back."

That seemed to be news to coach Avery Johnson.

"I haven't heard that," Johnson said. "I know we've been in contact with Troy and his agent. I haven't heard a set time when he's coming back. I'll talk to Billy about it and I'll address it [Wednesday night]."

Murphy stayed home when the Nets left for a four-game West Coast trip earlier this month and didn't attend their Jan. 19 shootaround when they returned to New Jersey.

King first said Murphy had requested a trade, but later amended his statement and said he told the forward he would attempt to deal him.