Dunleavy had hoped to trade for his son

It seemed Golden State Warriors Coach Don Nelson was alluding to a potential trade with the Clippers when he recently said that forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. is “more of a blend player” who would function best in a supporting role.

That’s how the Indiana Pacers apparently plan to use the fifth-year player, who was acquired Wednesday from the Warriors in an eight-player deal that also sent forwards Troy Murphy and Ike Diogu and guard Keith McLeod to Indiana.

The Warriors received forward Al Harrington, swingman Stephen Jackson, forward Josh Powell and guard Sarunas Jasikevicius in a trade that disappointed some Clippers officials. Coach Mike Dunleavy had hoped to acquire his eldest son, team sources said, believing the former Duke All-American and third overall pick in the 2002 draft would have been a good fit because of his shooting range and high basketball IQ.

But it now appears that the Dunleavys won’t be a father-son act with the Clippers any time soon.

Before the Clippers defeated the Warriors, 115-109, Wednesday at Staples Center, Dunleavy declined to comment on the team’s efforts to acquire his son, for whom he had high praise.

“He’s a really good team player,” Dunleavy said. “He has won a championship at every level he’s ever played at. He’s played big in big games and does the things that many coaches want players to do.

“He was one of the top five guys in the league last year at taking charges. He passes the ball well ... he’s had big rebound nights. His percentages on shooting the ball are pretty good and he can play four positions.”

Last summer, the Warriors and Clippers were involved in discussions about a potential three-team deal that would have brought Dunleavy, in the first year of a five-year, $45-million contract, to Los Angeles, sources said. Because of salary-cap rules, a Dunleavy-Cuttino Mobley trade would have worked best for the Clippers, but the Warriors apparently weren’t interested in that proposal.

“He’s not a superstar player,” Dunleavy said of his son. “People look at him and say that’s what they projected him to be. Maybe that was the wrong projection, but that’s not his fault.

“Everywhere he’s been, he’s been good, and he has been dominant on certain levels. In the NBA, I’ve always said you’ll find out how good of a player he is when he plays on a really good team.

“He makes other guys better by making the right plays.”

jason.reid@latimes.com

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NBA trade

Wednesday’s eight-player deal between the Indiana Pacers and the Golden

State Warriors:

*--* PACERS GET * Mike Dunleavy Forward * Troy Murphy Forward/Center * Ike Diogu Forward * Keith McLeod Guard WARRIORS GET * Al Harrington Forward * Stephen Jackson Forward/Guard * Sarunas Jasikevicius Guard * Josh Powell Forward

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Source: Associated Press