NVE to NYK? "Ain't gonna happen."

Discussion in 'Golden State Warriors' started by Big D, Oct 8, 2003.

  1. Big D

    Big D JBB JustBBall Member

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    NVE to NYK? "Ain't gonna happen."

    And another rumor falls wayside.

    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Van Exel to N.Y. rumors refuted by Warriors
    By Matt Steinmetz
    CONTRA COSTA TIMES

    HONOLULU - "That ain't going to happen," Warriors coach Eric Musselman said.

    "Completely inaccurate," said Warriors general manager Garry St. Jean.

    That's how each responded to yet another story out of New York that reported the Warriors were on the verge of dealing point guard Nick Van Exel to the New York Knicks for Charlie Ward and Kurt Thomas.

    Said another Warriors official: "That would kind of take the oomph out of things."

    The Warriors were in proactive mode all offseason, making two trades and signing two free agents. Now, three weeks before the regular season is to begin, they're in "let's-see-what-we-have" mode. And that includes Van Exel, himself.

    "I think what they did last year is the upside," said Van Exel, hours before taking the floor against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Stan Sheriff Center in the team's first exhibition game. "It's something positive. I'm sure all summer, the guys who were here last year and the coaching staff were real excited about this year. That was a positive, to leave on a good note, knowing you improved from the previous season. I'm eager to get out there. That's what I'm most excited about."

    The New York Post reported Tuesday that should the Knicks sign free-agent center Dikembe Mutombo, look for New York general manager Scott Layden to acquire Van Exel for Thomas and Ward, and the Warriors then almost certainly would exercise Ward's $2 million buyout.

    The Warriors acquired Van Exel in a nine-player trade with the Dallas Mavericks on Aug. 18. They cannot trade Van Exel -- unless the deal is one player for one player -- until 60 days after that date. Ward has been rumored to be coming to the Warriors for the past few seasons.

    The Warriors acquired free agents Speedy Claxton and Calbert Cheaney and also made a trade for Clifford Robinson and Pepe Sanchez this summer.

    Van Exel said his thoughts right now are centered on Golden State.

    "We can be very competitive," he said. "And if we're competitive, we can be very good."

    Musselman said he expected to play 12 of an available 15 players in Tuesday's game, which began at 11 p.m. PDT, and that his rotations "would be scripted." Van Exel was expected to start against the Lakers, although he doesn't seemed concerned with the seven exhibition games.

    "I'm just ready for the regular season," he said. "The preseason is pretty much for getting in shape and working on things like that. The most important thing is real action."

    Musselman said he understands where Van Exel -- and several other Warriors veterans -- are coming from.

    "The bottom line is with a new group you want to go hard every day and you want to try to get the maximum out of what you do in the gym," Musselman said. "But I don't think there's any doubt that when a guy's played a number of years that the exhibition season is drudgery. I'm too young and naive. Everything's great."

    NOTES: The Warriors waived point guard Derrick Zimmerman and center Josh Asselin on Tuesday. The Warriors selected Zimmerman with the No. 40 pick in the June draft. However, he got caught in a numbers game, according to Musselman, because the Warriors have four point guards -- Van Exel, Claxton, Avery Johnson and Sanchez -- with guaranteed contracts. "He did a good job," Musselman said. "I think something like the (National Basketball Development League) will be good for him. (St. Jean) is going to monitor his progress, and we'd like to have him come back and play summer ball -- if he doesn't get called up by another team." Asselin, who played at the University of Michigan and two seasons professionally in France and Spain, was a training camp invitee.
    </div>

    http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/sports/...ors/6960498.htm
     
  2. Rudeezy

    Rudeezy JBB Senior *********

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    I really hope they hang on to Nick the Quick. He is an awesome player to watch and I think he could really help the Warriors this year.
     

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