Harrington is cool, but after watching the playoffs, I realized we're never going to be a team that matters with him at the 4. I'm certainly glad we turned Murphy/Dunleavy into Harrington. Bring Harrington off the bench to play backup 3, he has the jumper and post game for it. So who do we play at the 4? Sign and Trade for Darko. Kid is only 21, played on a stacked Pistons team for 2 years and played up and down this year. He's looking for a long term contract and we should absolutely give it to him. Sounds crazy? No. People rag on him for his faults (which are definitley apparent) but people seem to forget his strengths. Ball handling, shot blocking, passing, interior defense, footwork, his combination of size and athleticism. Don Nelson coached Nowitzki, Don Nelson is our coach now. Nelson helped Nowitzki acclimate to the pro game while keeping his unique niche. Milicic ain't the player Nowitzki is but the situation is very similar, Nelson's going to let him handle the ball and get touches rather than playing the role of a traditional center. Nene got a fat contract after not doing much and had the year everyone was expecting when he was 24. Jermaine O'Neal sat on a Portland bench for years. Darko's 21, injury free, world of upside, wonderful fit for Don Nelson and really he's our best bet of catching lightning in a bottle. Right now is the point where he will take the largest steps in his career. KG, Marion, Jermaine O'Neal...we're never going to get those guys with JRich. We're so depleted at the PF position just a young role player would be good and best case would be a franchise big guy. From a marketing perspective this isn't a good move but from a basketball perspective, it's a great move. So the plan... 1. JRich for sign + trade Darko or the highest I'd go to get this done...JRich + POB. We don't really need POB if we have Biedrins, Perovic AND Darko. Orlando can develop POB while playing Battie next to Howard. 2. Trade away the draft pick to someone who will take Sarunas and give us a smaller contract in return. The smaller contract can be some roleplayer Nelly likes to play point guard. That should save us a 1 million or so. 3. Cut Foyle 4. Resign Barnes to a contract starting at 4 million Biedrins/Perovic Darko/Barnes Jax/Harrington Montay/Buke/camp invite Baron/player in trade 2 Options 2, 3 and 4 are all related to keeping Barnes while staying under the luxury tax. Option 1 is the one that really matters and I don't see how you DON'T do it.
I would not be against trading Al Harrington for Darko but I won't be one of the people urging Chris Mullin to do it, A. because of my ignorance of how good Darko may be, B. I also heard he is asking for a huge contract, which would concern me whenever his contract expires. What I mostly wanted to say is that I think people are being a little over critical of Al Harrington. I am not condoning that people should not be down on his performance in the playoffs; but without Al Harrington this team doesn't make it to the playoffs. Thus Harrington is good for something on this team. Furthermore if the team gets the opportunity to develop the bench players, which didn't happen extensively last season because with a new coach there is always a period of developing continunity and understanding between the coach on his players and from the players to their coach. Because of the injuries the bench players did get a chance to perform. However that was mostly before the trade that completely changed this team. Also shortly after that trade the team was in dire need to win many games to just make the playoffs which meant no PT for players like Powell or Patrick O'Bryant. I say if the Warriors need a PF this badly, they should do their best to develop POB and Perovic, resign Powell, and draft a PF like Tiago or whomever in the draft since there seems to be a large amount of PF's/C's in the draft this year. If the Warriors continue to suffer from the PF position to start next season, then maybe a trade like this should be made before the deadline. I think the Warriors need a backup PG. I'd say if the Warriors can land a good PF and PG from the draft, they should be in good shape going into next season. Resigning Pietrus may help the PF situation though not quite for playing against the Jazz, but Pietrus did a solid job there most of the season working on the glass and I don't know if he finished this way, but he was the team's second leading shot-blocker, which isn't bad for a team that was one of the top teams in blocking shots. However obviously Pietrus isn't they type of PF being desired here. I'd also say no on trading Jason Richardson for Darko. That would mean Darko gets a huge contract, which I don't want to see. If Jason Richardson is traded for a PF, I would want it to be a star PF like Gasol, O'Neal, or KG. Sorry I should connect my points to finish my argument: Since Harrington and rebounding wasn't the problem until one series against the Jazz, I don't think such and extreme step should be taken. The Warriors have the young players and draft picks to bring in the PF we need to do the dirty work for the few matchups which hurt us (which is playing the Jazz in a playoff series when fouls are being called almost every possession). I think the plan should be to develop the young (and possibly some new guys/rookies) like POB, Perovic, and Powell to help those rebounding woes. The guards on this team are extremely good rebounders. Now if the development of the before stated players goes right, then the Warriors should fare-off-well rebounding-wise and even defensively with AB playing alongside Perovic, POB, Powell, or maybe Tiago from the draft. Of course if problems persist, then perhaps a trade should be made, but I would still wait until next season's trade deadline to do such a big trade for a non-star player (which is multiplied by how much money he is looking for this offseason).
1 i agree with Clif... i would consider trading Al for Darko but no way Jason. 2. I don't understand this one. Sarunas has an expiring contract. It is an asset, not something we need to package our pick just to get hime off our roster. 3. I don't believe you can actually cut foyle. That ship sailed with the opportunity with the Allan Houston rule. The best we can hope for is some sort of buy out. 4. You're over paying for Barnes at 4 mil. Teams will recognize that thought BArnes did well in Nellie's system he most likely will revert to his oldself in most other systems. I think the market will be sour on him and he won't be getting the offers he may expect, especially with his new agent. Let Barnes walk. 5. I think Pietrus may find the harsh reality as well although someone might bite on his upside. I think it is a great idea trying to land Darko, if Harrington can be the piece to get it done and sarunas's expiring contract... love to see ariza in that deal.... but i think he is a base year guy.
<div class="quote_poster">boogielew Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> 2. I don't understand this one. Sarunas has an expiring contract. It is an asset, not something we need to package our pick just to get hime off our roster. 3. I don't believe you can actually cut foyle. That ship sailed with the opportunity with the Allan Houston rule. The best we can hope for is some sort of buy out. 4. You're over paying for Barnes at 4 mil. Teams will recognize that thought BArnes did well in Nellie's system he most likely will revert to his oldself in most other systems. I think the market will be sour on him and he won't be getting the offers he may expect, especially with his new agent. Let Barnes walk. </div> 2,3, and 4 all relate to Barnes in this manner. We are so close to the luxury tax if we can trade Sarunas for a smaller salary, I'd do it. Sarunas makes 4 million? Get someone back who gets 3 million to backup Baron. That's a one million dollar cushion to help resign Barnes. I'm just not excited about this draft. At 18, the prospects at our range are poor. Fazekas? McRoberts? Aaron Gray? Ugh...fugg that, rather keep Barnes and get another role player. Cut Foyle, of course we would have to still pay him. I think he has around 20 million left on his deal. Work on a buyout for 16 million dispersed over 3-4 years. That gives us more of a cushion against the salary cap. I really warmed up to Barnes in the playoffs. Dude went out every night and did the dirty work nobody else could do. Give hard fouls, dive for balls, battle for boards and most importantly the kid has some serious guts. You need these kinds of roleplayers on your team come playoff time. If Barnes asks for 4 million, I'd GLADLY give it to him. Considering his role I just mentioned AND what a great fit he is for Nelson. At 4 million why would you walk away from Barnes? I don't expect anyone in the draft/camp invitee to gives us what Barnes can give us. I actually think we'd be lucky to get him at that price. Dan Fegan is known for overinflating his clients, wouldn't be suprised if someone gave that guy the full MLE, (which I wouldn't). Not really going to get into Darko right now...I'll wait until a few more people give their two cents on the subject but I'll just say this, outside of Andrei Kirilenko, I don't see a better option available.
I too, have been intrigued with Darko, especially considering he's been a prospect with serious potential that just never produced. Like Tyson Chandler, for instace, a guy who I think now has a value contract with his 9.5pts, 12.4reb, and 1.8blk last year. I think a lot of teams would love to have this guy now -- and this is a player who was considered a "bust" several years after his failings in Chicago. Now he's found a home in NO. We've seen it even with Kwamae Brown -- he's not a star or anything, but he's at least begun to contribute, more or less, in LA and could actually be a double-double guy down the road. Big men take longer to develop, we know this. With Darko, I've been thinking the last year that "why not?" Why not grab him while his value is low, roll the dice, and see if he won't blossom at some point? I mean, he's got all the right stuff -- huge 7'0 frame at 275lbs (this is no Biedrins), a sweet outside stroke, a fine touch for the game, good passer, can dribble, doesn't mind getting into it down low, averaged 8pts, 5.5reb and 1.8 blocks last year in 24 minutes per game -- I mean, the potential is there. But JRich? You know, when JRich had the knee surgery, and we all saw how it looked like he had NO HOPS left at all, he could barely dunk, move quickly, it looked like JRich was a shadow of his former 23ppg star self, and would never get it back, then I was thinking about this trade. Because then it seemed "fair," even though JRich was the "captain" of GS, he just didn't seem to have it. And Monta was really coming on. But now, after JRich's return, and impressive showing (IMO) in the playoffs, I don't trade him for "potential." If I trade JRich now, it better be for instant value at the PF -- as said earlier: Gasol, JO, KG. Not that we'd even have a shot at those guys, but that's the idea. Heck, I'd flirt with JRich for Kirilinko, too. But, as much as I like the "potential" of Darko, I can't give up the captain of this team (yes, JRich is still the captain IMO). I mean, you look at the numbers -- Harrington averaged twice what Darko did -- would the Magic consider AL for Darko straight up?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">How about this trade. Jrich + Adona Foyle + #18 pick for Paul Gasol, Brian Cardinal Yes! </div> I do it yesterday, today and tomorrow
