<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Numbers up for Barnes, Pietrus? Free agency a trying time for players, team Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer A year after Matt Barnes nearly gave up on his NBA career, he's about to become a very rich man. The free agent forward figures to sign his first guaranteed, multi-year deal this summer after a breakout season with the Warriors. And though Barnes is free to go to the highest bidder, the longtime journeyman insists his first choice is to remain with Golden State and coach Don Nelson. "Everyone always wants to run to the money, but I've been through so much," Barnes said this week. "To find a coach who really likes me, that's going to play a large part in my decision." The NBA's free agent period officially begins today, and Barnes isn't the only Warrior looking for a new deal. Swingman Mickael Pietrus is also on the market and he, too, is coming off a career year. Pietrus started 38 games and averaged 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 48.8 percent from the field. Barnes, who started 23 games, posted averages of 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Pietrus and Barnes were key parts of Nelson's eight-man playoff rotation, but it appears unlikely that the Warriors will re-sign both their energizing reserves, especially if other teams drive up the price. "Obviously, they both fit in," Nelson said. "It's at what numbers." Since the Warriors are still hovering over the salary cap, the most they can offer Barnes -- or any other free agent outright -- is their full midlevel exception, which is expected to be around $5.5 million. Factor in the maximum annual raises and contract length, and that amounts to a five-year deal worth about $32 million. But Barnes, who hired high-profile agent Dan Fegan to negotiate his new contract, might be hard-pressed to get that much from the Warriors despite the team's improved finances. Barnes was one of the NBA's best bargains last season at the league minimum rate of $771,331. Pietrus is a restricted free agent, so the Warriors have the right to match any offers he receives. Golden State extended a one-year tender worth $3.4 million last week, but Pietrus is also looking for a salary in the midlevel range or beyond. "I think he's definitely worth that," said agent Happy Walters, who represents Pietrus along with Bill McCandless. "There's going to be a lot of interest in Mickael because he's so versatile, so we think and hope Golden State will step up and match any offers that come his way. "He's been there since he got drafted, he has a place in Oakland, and he loves Nellie and Chris and the management and the team." Agents can begin negotiating with teams today, though no new contracts can officially be signed until July 11. With so few teams under the salary cap, most deals for high-priced free agents will come via sign-and-trade, and that's where Golden State's $10 million trade exception from the Jason Richardson deal comes into play. While the Warriors continue their Kevin Garnett chase, they can also target free agents making $10 million or less, possibly vaulting them into the market for players like Darko Milicic, Andres Nocioni, Anderson Varajeo and Gerald Wallace. Golden State also has its bi-annual exception of $1.83 million available to sign players. Briefly: Draft picks Brandan Wright and Stephane Lasme will be introduced at a news conference in Oakland on Monday. First-round pick Marco Belinelli is unable to attend.</div> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPGMFQP7R61.DTL
While not dime-a-dozen per say, I think we could find suitable replacements from somewhere if we don't re-sign. We can probably get Andre Emmett or Qyntel Woods (if we don't fear him being sjax part two type of head case). I'm not sure of any others, but I figure there must be some college kid or American star in Europe who wants a shot at the nba. Frankly, I just don't think Pietrus is a basketball player and he's one of the guys that got worse just like Dunleavy. His missing those two free throws in that one Utah playoff game was like when Jose Cruz dropped an easy catch to blow the Giants chances of advancing in the post season in baseball in '03. I felt like guys have already figured Pietrus out and he can't improve on the areas he's weakest at like his decision-making because he needs a brain first. Barnes isn't that bad if you consider how disappointing guys like Ellis and Harrington were in the playoffs, but I only wonder how effective Barnes will be long term and also if he's given security money. Will he be as hungry? He doesn't mind having the ball in his hands and taking a tough shot, but it's a blessing and a curse to fans because this is the type of guy you don't want thinking he's Michael Jordan (Derek Fisher syndrome). He's made some nice passes, forces turnovers (at times), and rebounded well. He kind of gives us a variety of different things which is nice, but he is also a frustrating player to watch because he gambles a lot or makes some really lame decisions. We won't have a bargain no more if he indeed was playing for numbers and his value just went up. I say skip both and get ourselves another all-around type of player.
You guys are all right with letting go the team's 5th and 6th best scorers after trading Jason Richardson for a young project/prospect? I definitley would like to see Barnes and Pietrus return if the price is right. Those two were big players for this team last season, especially since Jason Richardson was out for so long. Now that Jason ain't returning, we might as well give these guys a chance. These guys get a bad rap but I don't completely understand why. Players like Monta Ellis and Al Harrington make dumb mistakes and are inconsistant as well. We might as well get rid of them too. Stephen Jackson is even an inconsistant player as well, especially as a scorer. The beauty of last season's team was that there were so many scorers, granted many were streaky if not all of them, but since there were so many you could count on at least two or three to really turn it on to carry the team. I am kind of worried in what direction this team is going. Why are we changing our style of play because of one team? That is not Don Nelson basketball. Again I am not saying that the Warriors need to spend loads of money on these two players. However if the price is right, I would enjoy seeing Pietrus and Barnes return. Like Nelson in the article said, "Obviously, they both fit in. It's at what numbers (I am assuming he's talking about salary numbers/figures)."
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wednesday was the first day teams could sign free agents, and Barnes said he has not received the offers he anticipated. "Right now, there's nothing happening," he said. "I was thinking the midlevel exception was realistic, but my agent has been telling me teams have questioned whether the success I had was because of (Warriors coach Don) Nelson's system and whether or not I could have the same success in another system.</div>http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/268925.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The midlevel exception of $5.356 million seemed a realistic salary starting point in the eyes of many, including Barnes. In a departure from his usual steady, low-key approach, Barnes left agent Bill Neff, who had beaten many a bush over the past few seasons to get Barnes into veteran training camps, to sign with agent Dan Fegan, who just happened to have fellow Warriors Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson (since traded to Charlotte). "I was talking to a lot of people who were telling me that I needed a big-time agent to get that big money," Barnes said Wednesday evening. "That's the main reason I decided to change agents. It wasn't anything that (Neff) did or didn't do. We'll see if that was a smart decision or not. Basically, it was just me analyzing my situation. </div>Stay away from Dan Fegan, Mullin! He ruins franchises! Fegan also represented Dampier, Arenas, Murphy for us as well. He is also help screwing over the Bucks with the Yi thing. Yi sounds like he wants to play for any team but he's being told what to do.
Fegan represents everyone --honestly I think there should be restrictions on how many players ONE agent can represent. Isn't there a conflict of interest there, especially if two of Fegan's players are both lobbying for contracts with the same team? In addition, from what I understand, Fegan is like the "Drew Rosenhaus" of the NBA -- a real pain in the ass for everyone involved. I could be wrong, though.
<div class="quote_poster">Kwan1031 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wonder if his price will go down to 9 mils / 3 years...</div> Barnes is a good piece for GS -- I do dat deal -- in a heartbeat. Although don't let Boogie hear about.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/268925.html Stay away from Dan Fegan, Mullin! He ruins franchises! Fegan also represented Dampier, Arenas, Murphy for us as well. He is also help screwing over the Bucks with the Yi thing. Yi sounds like he wants to play for any team but he's being told what to do.</div> From a fan prospective I am bummed to hear that he changed agents to get the big money. However as an individual and seeing the journey of Matt Barnes I can see why he'd want to get paid similarly and better to other players with similar production. For me the max would be the MLE for about 3 seasons for Matt Barnes. So like 3 years $16 million sounds reasonable.
MAn i was beat to this punch, Alley. I don't want Barnes back under any circumstances, no matter what the contract is, so in a sense i am bummed the less offers the more likely we retain him. I know, I know he did some good for us. I still think he is a dime a dozen guy and we can find that production elsewhere. I would take the "tin man" .... "if i only had a brain" Pietrus over Barnesy Fife any day of the week. Pietrus shot a better percentage both fg and 3 point with everything else being about equal. They both suck at ball handling, they both make moron poor decisions, Pietrus plays better D and is more athletic and versatile. They rebound about the same. Yeah MP choked those free throws down the stretch and everyone holds on to that like cruz dropping that fly in deep right field costing the giants. But i hold BArnes' soft and one fouls and his nonchalant style more for any losses. I dont really want any of those two back ..... but i will take Pietrus any day over BArnes
<div class="quote_poster">Clif25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">From a fan prospective I am bummed to hear that he changed agents to get the big money. However as an individual and seeing the journey of Matt Barnes I can see why he'd want to get paid similarly and better to other players with similar production. For me the max would be the MLE for about 3 seasons for Matt Barnes. So like 3 years $16 million sounds reasonable.</div> I agree with Cliff, I was a little bothered that Barnes changed agents. I read that his old agent basically begged the W's for an chance. If not for that chance Barnes was going to have a career change. The W's gave him a chance, Barnes made the most of it and then fired his agent. Nice. That being said, I hope the lack of interest set Barnes back some and he gives the W's a hometown discount and signs for reasonable $$$$.
