<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Warriors' options are decreasing By Marcus Thompson II CONTRA COSTA TIMES Here's a scenario that might give Warriors fans even more to worry about: Shooting guard Devin Brown turns out to be the team's most significant offseason acquisition. Considering Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin's philosophy of not making a trade for its own sake, and the skimpy options out there, it is increasingly possible the Warriors could go into next season with virtually the same roster that ended the previous one, sans guard Derek Fisher. "Every day is a day to try to make the team better," Mullin said Tuesday. "Every day we're looking for things. Our focus is not fast-forwarding to November. Our focus is on making us better. We're taking it one day at a time." Mullin said at the end of last season that the Warriors roster doesn't fit and intimated that changes were looming. But little has changed thus far, and the horizon isn't revealing much opportunity. By most accounts, the Warriors are out of the running for Atlanta free agent forward Al Harrington. Given that, what options remain available? The free-agent market leaves much to be desired, and it appears several star players reported to be available -- Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce -- aren't going to be traded, if their respective teams' management can be believed. Even more cause for concern is that forward Troy Murphy, the bait the Warriors are using to lure potential suitors, may not be as valuable as first thought. The Warriors couldn't parlay Murphy and the No. 9 pick to move up in the draft. He wasn't enough to get Harrington from Atlanta (though that could be more the Hawks dysfunction than a knock on Murphy). Aside from Murphy, the rest of the Warriors roster comprises throw-ins and untouchables. If Murphy isn't attractive enough to land the difference-maker, the Warriors may have to settle for a smaller name, a glorified role player. Such a definition would fit Brown, one of three players the Warriors acquired earlier this month from Utah in the Fisher deal. The Warriors have a $500,000 buyout option on Brown. The trouble is they might not be able to take advantage of it because they may not be able to find anybody who's better. "We're optimistic about winning more games," Mullin said. "That's what we're all about. It's going to happen." Of course, point guard Baron Davis at his best for an entire season would amount to a roster addition. That could make the current squad good enough to at least stay in the hunt until the February trade deadline, when some of the aforementioned players might become available. Until then, what moves can the Warriors realistically make to improve their roster? Any such deal would have to meet three requirements: 1) The player has to be someone who can help the Warriors; 2) he has to be available; and 3) his team has to want something the Warriors have and are willing to give up. With that criteria in mind, here are some possibilities: Jamaal Magloire, Milwaukee Bucks center: He's in the final year of his contract, and Milwaukee might like Murphy next to Andrew Bogut, who reportedly is moving to center. They also need perimeter bench help, a role Warriors swingman Mickael Pietrus can fill. Drawback: Bucks coach Terry Stotts spent a year with Murphy and Pietrus, so he's had a close-up of their warts. Corey Maggette, Los Angeles Clippers small forward: He's been on the trading block for a while. The Clippers could use Pietrus to back up shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and small forward Quinton Ross, or maybe Warriors F/C Andris Biedrins would do the trick to acquire Mobley. Drawback: The real guy they'd want is Mike Dunleavy Jr., but he's a base year player and hard to trade. Chris Wilcox, Seattle SuperSonics power forward: Seattle would like to get something for its unrestricted free agent, who needs a sign-and-trade to get his desired contract. Murphy fits Seattle's perimeter-happy style. Drawback: Despite word that his salary demands are down to $8 million, that's still high for such inconsistency. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets power forward: He's widely expected to be on his way out of Denver because of his beef with coach George Karl. The Nuggets have been craving a shooting guard, and Pietrus is further along than Julius Hodge and DerMarr Johnson. Drawback: Martin's injury prone and scheduled to make $12 million. Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz power forward: He's been rumored to be traded for some time now. The Jazz is uncomfortably young at shooting guard (Pietrus) and needs some depth inside (Biedrins). Drawback: Utah might not want another shooting big man (Murphy) next to Mehmet Okur, but, without Murphy in the deal, the Warriors would have too many power forwards. Bonzi Wells, Sacramento Kings swingman: His days in Sacramento reportedly are over, as evidenced by the Kings signing swingman John Salmons. Pietrus would give them insurance on the perimeter, and Biedrins would be a better option at backup center than Brian Skinner. Drawback: The Kings may not want to help their rival improve. Ditto for the Warriors.</div> I've ben a fan of the Magette deal since I first heard about it. That'd be sweet IMO. He's tough and can bang for a small forward. Plus he gets to the freethrow line like crazy. Better fit than Harrington hands down IMO http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...rs/15124885.htm
I like Maggette as a power and finesse type guy. He's like having another Jason Richardson. He started off raw as hell, but he was highly recruited, eventually learned the game, and now he's got some all-star ability. However, he tends to be injury prone, foul prone, turnover prone, somewhat a blackhole on offense but can pass, but he puts up good offensive numbers and he's not bad on defense. Not sure how he would fit in with Richardson, but it would definitely add more firepower and another guy who could work the free throw line like Diogu was showing in his few minutes he got. If the Clippers want Dunleavy, can we also get Korolev? A russian athlete at 6'9 with athleticism + skills. That's Danny Granger like sort of.
If the Clippers was Dunleavy I would let him go just for a 2nd round draft pick. The problem is not having anyone to really play SF behind him...
Yeah.I'll bet the Clips really Want Mike jr. heh heh,well,we could probably work with Charlotte in a 3 team to offset the byc factor. Generally-there's nothing else there-just the usual suspects at higher than sensible price tags. Several of these have us giving Biedrens and---- to get a guy who's on the block for a reason. Boozer...now there's a name you can trust. Sure won't want to do Biedrens to get Bonzi. K Mart...yeah-like he'd be esy for ol' Monty to whip into shape-Look it up-Pts/boards...less than Murphy. $$$ a lot more than Murphy. Knees.....don't ask.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CohanHater:</div><div class="quote_post">Magloire seems to be gone now as well...</div> According to who? edit: Well I do see one reference on hoopshype from "1080 The Fan" an AM radio station but the quote only says the the discussions of a trade have taken place. But I'll guarantee you they're taking place with more teams than just the blazers. Are there other sorces reporting something?
http://ian1080.blogspot.com/ Some blogger who heard it on the radio? It's probably a good idea to leave a link or two just in case the rest of us aren't updated on the situation.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">http://ian1080.blogspot.com/ Some blogger who heard it on the radio? It's probably a good idea to leave a link or two just in case the rest of us aren't updated on the situation.</div> Yeah, this is the same link I reference above from hoopshype -- it's a blogger-columnist who apparently has ties with that 1050 (or 1080) The Fan AM radio station in Portland. But this is the only place I've heard it, and these are his words: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Potential trade being discussed: Portland sends Steve Blake, Brian Skinner, and Ha Seung-Jin to Milwaukee for Jamaal Magloire. Will it happen? Maybe. Hard to say but I do know the discussions between the two teams have taken place. If it doesn't, there will be denials and spinning coming from One Center Court, but I will stand by this, the Bucks and Blazers have discussed this deal.</div> Wow, that's a pretty bold statement to stand by lol: "the Bucks and Blazers have discussed this deal." Here, I'll stand by this one: "The Warriors and Pacers have discussed a Murphy for Harrington trade." I'm not saying there's no truth to that possibility between the Bucks and Blazers, but one blogger saying that he "heard" there were trade discussions going on, that's about the furthest thing possible from an official announcement of a trade.
That's why you can never really trust "the news". Radio, TV, newspapers, they're all in it for the money or their own agenda, except for a few media personalities that care about informing rather than spinning, shilling, or creating sensationalism. I'll respect anyone that has a proven track record of being honest and accurate, though. I don't know about this blogger or whatever his/her sources are.
Print news (magazines, newspapers) are different than radio or internet sources IMO. Someone can go on the radio and just spout off at the mouth and that's news? It doesn't have to be edited by an editor; it doesn't have to be verified by any sources; it doesn't have to gt published and therefore remain concrete in print. KNBA 680 Rod Brooks could spout off with "I heard the Warriors are going to trade for Ron Artest" and that's news? No, that's just hot air. Same for blogs. If it's in print, even then you need to double-check the source. An AP headline which reports a pending deal between two teams is one thing, but a slanted Tim Kawakami "column" about a cock-eyed off-the-wall trade idea is another. -- Again, both are in print with a news source, but are completely different sources of information. That's why you probably wont see "Ian, an internet blogger from 1080 The Fan, an AM radio station in Portland, reports there are trade talks between the Blazers and Bucks" on the ESPN wire.
Media,even trusted sports media,speculate. Years ago the reds had drafted a shortstop rd 1,Kurt Stillwell,he went through the minors fast,came up,made the lineup,and the Reds by then had drafted local Barry Larkin. Larkin also moved up fast was in AA his first year. the Sporting News said Larkin would spend a year in AAA..converting to 2b,because Stillwell was the SS. My mom told me on the phone that Barry would come up and be the Reds starting SS. Who to Believe...Mom? The Sporting News?...Well,the Reds are not gonna nessecerily TELL TSN what plan A is,The writer just assumes based on experiance. Mom? She gave Barry's mom a ride home from the school PTA meeting. It worked out well for the Reds. Look at Kawakami....or the endless NY Post rumors....weak stuff. An NBA GM is always trolling the river just in case. a lot of deals never get beyond the basics.
