2005 Offseason Moves (Draft & Free Agency)

2005 Offseason Moves (Draft & Free Agency)

With 28 games to evaluate the current roster, what are the Warriors greatest needs and who would be the best to fill the roster holes?

Obviously Bogut would give the W's the much needed force down low that neither Foyle or Murphy have been able to provide. I know Marvin Williams and Chris Paul were the hot topics, but now that BD is in the house, the W's are probably less likely to even consider Paul, and I don't know much about Williams. If the season ended now, what slot would the W's be in?

In terms of free agents, I'm still a big fan of Stromile Swift and can see him making the leap for a team once he gets out of Memphis. Would the W's offer him a contract even though he really hasn't proved himself? And since Foyle is already making large?

The biggest names in the 2005 free agency class are Ray Allen and Michael Redd, but judging from the leap JRich has made, Mullin probably isn't even looking in their direction. But getting a reliable outside shooter would help the team immensely.

Last night, the W's put up 30 3-point attempts, that's something that needs to either be addressed as a team (Monty should go with the Dallas approach and charge money for missed 3's) or the W's need to find a shooter and make sure he's the only one who consistently has the green light.

 

Swift would be an interesting player on our team, but the only way we are signing a free agent is with the MLE, which is not going to be enough money to get him. We could pull a sign and trade with Memphis, but we would have to dump at least one of our young core to get him, most likely Murphy. Memphis very easily could get better offers than we can give, too.

The draft is another legitimate option to upgrade our bigs. Bogut is clearly an answer here. He could come in and has the size and talent to do some good things right off the bat. His lack of altheticism wouldn't help the defense a lot, but he could put up some points in the paint.

After Bogut though, not a lot of names catch my eye. Specifically, the only other listed centers predicted to go in the first round are Taft, Andriuskevicius, Petro, and Frye. All four of these guys are going to be projects (groans come from the gallery), but they will be projects in different ways:
-Taft and Petro already have NBA bodies and will be able to put in minutes simply because they can not get knocked around very easily.
-Frye has a developed skill set, but does not have an NBA body, and may never will. He could be a finesse center one day, a poor man's Marcus Camby.
-Andriuskevicius is a tree at 7'3", but does not have many skills and no NBA body yet, he's a few years away, at best.

My personal feeling is that we have enough finesse players already and a player similar to Andriuskevicius in Beans. I wouldn't mind drafting Taft, but I might be even happier if we exchanged picks with a team like the Clippers (swap picks, White for Wilcox?) and then picked up Petro who we could cheaply groom into a legitimate inside threat.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GSWScruff:</div><div class="quote_post">

My personal feeling is that we have enough finesse players already and a player similar to Andriuskevicius in Beans. I wouldn't mind drafting Taft, but I might be even happier if we exchanged picks with a team like the Clippers (swap picks, White for Wilcox?) and then picked up Petro who we could cheaply groom into a legitimate inside threat.</div>

I like this route...

 

I think that the draft thoughts are very well covered in Walker's thread, http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread...37&page=1&pp=20 .

I would add more there, but I don't have much more to add as of yet, since I haven't been able to get as many personal observations of the potential draftees this year. As everyone has pointed our or seems to agree on generally, our biggest need is C and to an extent, SF who can defend with outside shooting ability.

Leaving the draft as a solution to those problems (my philosophy at least in the first round is to draft the best available player, anyway, which would not always directly solve those problems), let's look at free agency. The only players that we're losing next year are Cheaney, Tskitishvili, and White. Dunleavy, Pietrus, and Cabarkapa are the next three potential free agents, in one, two and two years, respectively. Thus, unlike what was going on at the start of the season when we were expecting tons of free cap space and roster spots this season (back when we were losing Davis and Robinson's $15 off the cap, as well as still considering waiting on J-Rich and Murphy's possible extentions), now we have tons of players coming back to form some continuity.

So, let me share some of my thoughts on free agent centers.

Aside from Swift, the only other two intriguing, young options are Eddy Curry and Kwame Brown, both restricted free agents. Both are strong, former high school draftees who have reputations for being somewhat immature, in the very least in the basketball IQ sense. Still, both could be out of price range, too. Curry is finally starting to put it together on the Bulls after a long time of dissappointment. Brown is sitting on the bench watching the Wizards win without him, but because of his size and skills, he could still earn a fat contract. An option that's more realistic is Dan Gadzuric, who would be closer to the price range that we're looking for, although like Foyle, he is not a scorer. The Bucks can match offers to him, too, though, as he's restricted. After him, there's only old grizzled vets (Kevin Willis at age 43, anyone? Even Dikembe Mutombo, or Ervin Johnson are still in the league because of the dearth of big men) or guys with potential who failed (Vitaly Potapenko, Vladimir Stepania, Jamal Sampson and James Lang come to mind). So the end result is, there's not much hope on the free agent market. Maybe that's why we look forward to the draft or at least discussing it more, there's more in hope there.

 

I agree with Zhone + Wtwalker. We're definitely in an awkward position now that we're not devoid enough of talent to make a top 3 draft lotto (so fat chance we land Bogut unless his stock falls). We'll probably be anywhere from 4-6 depending on any late season heroics where games don't matter much. But look at the bright side, we're the guys that screw playoff teams out of their berths so that could be enjoyable to watch.

 

Just watched ESPN and Taft was on. If this guy is a top 5 pick it will only based on potential. He reminds me of Dunleavy in the way that he doesn't realize his own potential and defers to everyone. He's big & strong but that's it. Murphy is light years of Taft.

 

How come Taft has comparrisons to Chris Wilcox? Wilcox is way more energetic and faster, but has less skills.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">How come Taft has comparrisons to Chris Wilcox? Wilcox is way more energetic and faster, but has less skills.</div>Because they have similar hair and are similar heights. I'm serious. You notice how white players are always only compared to other white players?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GSWScruff:</div><div class="quote_post">Because they have similar hair and are similar heights. I'm serious. You notice how white players are always only compared to other white players?</div>
Well they should be comparing the dude's style of game.

 

In recent days I saw Hakim Warrick and Danny Granger and either would be a solid asset who would be NBA ready pretty quick. Are Tyson Chandler and Jason Collins potential FA's? Chandler lacks bulk but is long,rebounds,blocks shots and if the W's seriously go for up-tempo,and build their depth to avoid wearing down the starters, Chandler could be an answer who is close to our cap/budget reality. If the bids get high,Collins will cost less and he played for Monty,is a California guy and a 7ft C who's potential has not really been developed yet. Several times in recent years a team not in the bottom 3 got the top pick or #2 or #3,Houston got Yao with a better record than Golden St or the Bulls. With a backcourt of Baron,J Rich,Pietrus and Fish all under contract the Warriors have no reason to draft any of the guards seen as a top 10,and with Bogut the only C sure to be better than Cabarkaba or Shitka,It seem that leaves us looking at best available forward. Who really declares is an unknown for now. There was expectations for Taft,that he'd produce,expand his tools and declare,and his game didn't improve that much,which ought to tell him to wait. Another Big East big man,Josh Boone did make good progress, and is as NBA ready as Taft,but a lot of early estimates have not been updated

 

Ok guys, I have to say something. We are all pretty much in agreement that SF and C are our weakest points. We are all asking for a more athletic and defensive minded SF. WE ALREADY HAVE THAT IN PIETRUS! Why are we not realizing that. Is it because we consider him a SG? If that is the case, ok, but Pietrus is not going to start over Dunleavy at this point. I think PF and C are our weakest points right now, especially defensively. Right now, I am liking Murphy more than Dunleavy. The good thing about Murphy is that he is averaging a double double and is pretty consistent. But I like a PF more down low especially when we are lacking a low post scoring presence from our center. But I think we can get away with drafting a 6-10PF/C type and play him at center so long as he stays down low and Murphy draw the double team defender away from the middle...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Ok guys, I have to say something. We are all pretty much in agreement that SF and C are our weakest points. We are all asking for a more athletic and defensive minded SF. WE ALREADY HAVE THAT IN PIETRUS! Why are we not realizing that. Is it because we consider him a SG? If that is the case, ok, but Pietrus is not going to start over Dunleavy at this point. I think PF and C are our weakest points right now, especially defensively. Right now, I am liking Murphy more than Dunleavy. The good thing about Murphy is that he is averaging a double double and is pretty consistent. But I like a PF more down low especially when we are lacking a low post scoring presence from our center. But I think we can get away with drafting a 6-10PF/C type and play him at center so long as he stays down low and Murphy draw the double team defender away from the middle...</div>
I've been thinging along the same lines, but unfortunately, there just aren't that many guys out there that fit that 6-10 PF/C description. Taft and Frye are the only guys in the draft that may have a possibility to work in that kind of role. I talked about each of them in one of my posts above. However, the player that we already have that fits that mold is Beans, so lets hope he makes some strides in that last third of the season.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GSWScruff:</div><div class="quote_post">I've been thinging along the same lines, but unfortunately, there just aren't that many guys out there that fit that 6-10 PF/C description. Taft and Frye are the only guys in the draft that may have a possibility to work in that kind of role. I talked about each of them in one of my posts above. However, the player that we already have that fits that mold is Beans, so lets hope he makes some strides in that last third of the season.</div> You know the thing about those power forwards is their post game and aggressiveness isn't guaranteed. So this makes me wonder if we should sign Shareef Abdur Rahim in the offseason. I know he's not the best defensive player, but hey there's your offensive game down in the block. He's got pretty good one on one moves and can get fouled by bigger, slower defenders and he's pretty consistent. A 20/10 player when healthy. It'd be like bringing in Jamison again, that's the thing, but 'Reef is an allstar.

Maybe we should just wait though, Reef will want longterm money and we definitely don't want that tweener stuff in our roster.

 

I don't know how we will be able to sign FA's such as Swift, etc. We are pretty much stuck cap wise. HoopsHype says our payroll for next year (05/06) is $36,138,501 (not counting JRich's and Murphy's extensions). I want to think that Cohan and Co. would go over the cap but not above the luxury tax limit. Anyone want to take a guess on what the luxury tax limit is for next year (or what it is for this year, cause I don't know)? I think this will determine how active we will be in a FA market. Realistically, I don't see us being able to get rid of Foyle's or Fisher's deal and we will probably end up just using our 2 draft picks to fill up the roster.

All I know that could be helpful to guessing our payroll for next year is that JRich's extension was 6 yrs for $70 million and Murphy's was for 6 yrs and $58 million. I don't know what the increase for each year is.

 

Will the W's have the cap space for Shariff? Adding as a post went up while I slowly typed-It doesn't appear we can go for a FA with a big price tag,we can,I think extend White or Tsistkavili,or grab a low price FA. There is still a trade exemption from the Cliff R deal,right? There is one team that might trade for D Fish,the Lakers.

 

Well yeah, I was hoping Shareef for sign and trade deal, but making the contracts work is another thing. So yeah the 5 mil trade exception would have to be used because I think we're definitely over the cap next season when all the contracts kick in. The only problem is he'd probably be a short fix until we can find a real banger instead of a tweener.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BDiddyJRich:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know how we will be able to sign FA's such as Swift, etc. We are pretty much stuck cap wise. HoopsHype says our payroll for next year (05/06) is $36,138,501 (not counting JRich's and Murphy's extensions). I want to think that Cohan and Co. would go over the cap but not above the luxury tax limit. Anyone want to take a guess on what the luxury tax limit is for next year (or what it is for this year, cause I don't know)? I think this will determine how active we will be in a FA market. Realistically, I don't see us being able to get rid of Foyle's or Fisher's deal and we will probably end up just using our 2 draft picks to fill up the roster.

All I know that could be helpful to guessing our payroll for next year is that JRich's extension was 6 yrs for $70 million and Murphy's was for 6 yrs and $58 million. I don't know what the increase for each year is.</div>
I think it's 10%.

Yeah I know we're over the cap but I figure we could use exceptions and do sign and trade deals for players that have post game. That would be complex though. Foyle and Fisher were the stupidest signings to begin Mullin's career as VPO/GM. We might have to unload these guys and give up something valuable just so we can improve the talent in the starting rotation and lock up a solid big man.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">Will the W's have the cap space for Shariff? Adding as a post went up while I slowly typed-It doesn't appear we can go for a FA with a big price tag,we can,I think extend White or Tsistkavili,or grab a low price FA. There is still a trade exemption from the Cliff R deal,right? There is one team that might trade for D Fish,the Lakers.</div>
I'd rather keep Fisher than Foyle, wouldn't you? Fisher as backup isn't that bad. At least the fundamentals are there, he just doesn't have the best decision making skills or awareness, that's the problem. We've got swiss cheese defense. We need some way to add some kind of post game, a shotblocker, good lateral movement, and another rebounder to our team. Man too bad we weren't awful enough to land Emeka Okafor. That guy is so solid right now.

 

Also the thing I want to take back is, if we get a low post player, what if Murphy has already developed that? Since his rookie year he's added more weight and gotten better at rebounding. Check. He said he was working on a 3 point shot. He's shooting like 40%++ or so. Check. Next on the list is a post game. He'll probably do that in the offseason. So we'll wait and see.

 

Custodian --

I agree with you on keeping Fisher rather than Foyle because he contributes a lot more to the team and will have Davis to hide his flaws. Not to mention that Fisher is cheaper, more experienced, etc. Foyle is...well...Foyle. He is a crappier version of Dampier. He is a below average center at best that's making big bucks. I wouldn't mind him being packaged with the high '05 pick for a lower 1st rounder and an expiring contract. Any team out there desperate for any kind of a center and a Top 3 pick?