This (albeit vague) tidbit from Hoopsworld to whet your appetite: Well, I know we talk trades in every thread, but, if these rumors about the Warriors being heavy shoppers are true, then I thought I'd start an open trade thread. Why not? I'm glad to hear that according to "sources," the Warriors are trying to shop Maggette. And it's nice to know he has few trade limitations on his contract. He can be traded in 11 days from now (Dec. 15). Also, it's nice to hear that Monta is back on the practice court. That means GS needs to make some room for him, which increases the likelihood of Maggette being sent packing. The quicker Maggette is traded the better, IMO. Does Portland want him for Steve Blake + filler? Or Jarryd Bayliss + filler?
At this point, I will be happy with a dead body that ends in a year or two for Maggette. Good thing is that Maggette is at least productive, and with right role, he can be a factor for a good team. And, he is not BYC player. Bad thing is that his contract is simply too heavy, and we may have a hard time dumping his contract at least in couple years. And, Rowell may not elect to trade Maggette for garbages, since that will make him to admit that he made a mistake. But yeah. Sooner, the better. Will Monta be shopped? Although, the chance is remote, I would not rule against it. Funny thing is that whenever new management steps in, they usually get rid of almost every player, if not all, brought by previous management. Monta isn't exactly happy with the organization, so if somebody offers a good value, there is a chance that Monta might go somewhere else. The only player that may not be traded is Biedrins at this point...
Man how is it that the Knicks, where Isiah was only there last year, are in better shape than the Warriors for the future? They took a promising coach and just cleaned house and demanded that the players play fundamental basketball. Even though Duhon got 22 assists on that sieve the Warriors, it shows at least someone willing to pass it 22 times. Now the Warriors are simply saddled with a Coach stuck in gear without being flexible and the onerous contracts of SJax and Maggette. I have always thought that the future was Andris and Monta AND MULLY. Not Nellie and neverending small ball. That just makes my stomach turn.
I think the Warriors do have a good chance of landing a very good player such as an Amare or a Boozer. Look at the list of 2009 and 2010 big name FA's and see which ones for sure will not sign with their current team. These teams that are inevitably going to lose their star player to FA might as well get something in return before that happens, right? Amare or Boozer might sound like a pipe dream, but with the right trading pieces, this type of trade could work out. Now, that being said, we would probably have to take on a hefty, long-term contract to get such a player, but if the Warriors want to turn their season around, that's the price you have to pay. Would you give up Mags/Azubuike/Wright for Amare/Diaw/Bell? Diaw is booked at 9m until 2011 and Bell is booked at 5m through next season. Barbosa has a bigger and one more year on his contract ($6,100,000 - $6,600,000 - $7,100,000) than Bell does. PHX would probably want to throw him in instead of Bell. In order to get that type of player that we need, we'd probably have to take on some salaries too.
I will say that I do like how Maggette has brought the FT advantage to the team. Without that, the Warriors wouldn't even be competing. I think the Warriors are like first in FTA/game. Second I wonder if Maggette is getting so much PT and slack from Nelson, just so Nelson could show him off and potentially get something out of him when he can be traded. Third, I think this team needs a PG. I think that would help just about everyone on the team, especially Jackson and Maggette who are kind of playing out of position. I wouldn't be surprised if Monta Ellis is dealt, thoug hit would have to be for someone very good. There are a lot of different packages that such a deal could expire. Though I think a lot of teams are wary about what kind of future he will have after such an injury, so his stock will be very low, so maybe he won't be dealt anytime soon.
I am so frustrated with this team that it is very confusing for me this year. One of the worse things to happen to a team has happened to the Warriors and that is front office problems. One needs to clear that up before knowing what to do with the players. That starts with the GM or whoever is going to be making player personnel decisions. Is this going to be Mullin, Rowell, or someone newly hired or promoted? It just seems that Mullin won't be back, so we have to expect the latter. Second, the head coach. I'm assuming this is Don Nelson. At first, I suspected he was messing around with the front office mess reading the rumors and all, but I did not think he would screw his friend Mullin. At least, I did not want to think a person, let alone a head NBA coach with his rep, would sink so low as to do that. That's fugly and personal, regardless of what you think of Don Nelson as coach. Third, Nelson's coaching. I'm talking about just the business side now. He's said some things this year and has not followed up on it. He said he would develop the rooks/sophs. Furthermore, what he's doing on the court does not make sense; He needs to change his strategy. Small ball is not working. At least, Mike D'Antoni can play run and gun, and include small ball, but he realizes that he needs big men in the lineup. Oh yeah, this thread is about trades, so I'm hoping Mullin stays and Nelson follows through on what he said. If that happens , then I'm for trading for Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas. I'd give up Brandan Wright and Jamal Crawford.
Man, it would had been so much better if the team just drafted Butler instead of Dunleavy, and Granger instead of Diogu. Those two are tearing it up. I'd rather have those two than Jackson and Maggette. I have Granger and Butler on my fantasy team, so I see what they are doing each day. Anyway, which team(s) would want Maggette? I am pretty certain some teams would have wanted Jackson, that is before his contract extension. I think the Spurs might have been interested in him. He still has some value, but I think the extension took a bunch away from him. The Warriors are way behind the curve now, after making so much progress and keeping so much flexibility. I guess Rowell was against having so much flexibility. All the money they have loved to spend on 2nd and 3rd rate players, instead of players like Baron and JRich.
The sad thing is, if they do find a team willing to take Maggette, it will have to be for a luke-warm deal. No picks, no expiring contracts, no star players. It will be for 2nd-tier players and filler. So, ultimately, even if they do find a way to make the trade, in the end it will have been like spending that $50 mils this summer on filler instead of keeping the cap space open.
