2005 Offseason Moves (Draft & Free Agency)

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BDiddyJRich:</div><div class="quote_post">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?</div> Let's put it this way... would you want Foyle for 4 more guaranteed years at nearly 7 mil a year with 9% increases and our top 4 draft pick that will probably land you a Nikoloz Tskitishvilli type project? Foyle is probably not the worst center in the league, but he's definitely not a Monty type of player, unless he's coming off the bench. And that's exactly what he is... a decent backup getting paid starting veteran type money that has all the bad habits and rawness of a rookie. I'll give him some slack because he's mainly out of shape and coming off of injuries, but he's still poor offensively and incredibly slow to pick up the game of basketball. He's pretty not much going anywhere unless we package him with almost everything we got that's not overpaid and some team is looking for a role model. He is a good role model at least and is probably the only guy that hustles since Najera got traded. So Mullin could have easily said we needed a locker room presence, a guy that has been with the organization for 8 years through thick and thin, a leader in the community, and other teams were making a bid for his shotblocking prowess and per 48 minute stats, etc, etc. I refuse to believe the market set the price on him. ARggg.

What if Mullin were to do this: Isiah needs a center + a top draft pick, we can trade for a lower number one draft as well so we don't give up our future (that is if we don't find anybody that we can invest only a short amount of time in). Like, if we don't get Bogut or anybody that is not a 4 year project, Mullin will hopefully convince him that Foyle is the easiest way to ship out Kurt Thomas, who is known for getting into it with Stephon Marbury. If he thinks Thomas is still too valuable, ask for Malik Rose, Jerome Williams or Mo Taylor. We'll probably have trouble finding our own center, but hopefully this means more playing time for Biedrens. Anything that ends three years shorter than Adonal's contract length seems good enough. I mean Baron Davis, Jrich, and Murphy are definitely starters. I'd hate to think that the backups are making almost as much.

Knicks fans input greatly appreciated, but I'm sure any Isiah's moves invoke the wrath of every loyal Knick fan because of the situation of salary cap hell they're put in and they gave up their future to land Marbury.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BDiddyJRich:</div><div class="quote_post">Custodian --

Any team out there desperate for any kind of a center and a Top 3 pick?</div>

Uh, us...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Uh, us... </div>

Well at least we have an offseason to get us ready. New Orleans will be getting a star via free agency and then they will draft Bogut or Splitter

 

Check this out, this could probably effect who we get slightly. If Chris Paul was indeed a consensus top 3 pick, it turns out the guy might not even enter the draft.

http://www.news-record.com/sports/local/paul_bar_030205.htm

More and more I'm thinking if we take Chris Taft, what do we have to lose? This guy is a fundamentally sound power forward right and he's athletic. He's athletic, fundamentally sound, decent size, has good hands, but lacks killer instinct. Okay fine, well we definitely have plenty of guys like that with Baron, Jrich, and Fisher not shy about taking shots. But from the inside, this could be something he could develop over time. I dunno, he might even go top 3 as a safe pick.

 

The worst case scenario for the Warriors is if top players - like Chris Paul, Marvin Wiliams, etc. - start dropping out of the draft.

As far as Taft...what is going on with him? I don't follow the Big East much, but given the hype about him before the season, his numbers make him look like an underachiever. 7 pts, 3 rebs against UConn last week...only averging 13 and 7 for the year.

Shouldn't a potential top 5, maybe top 3, draft pick - even if only a sophomore - be able to dominate more in college basketball?

I'd rather take a chance on a player that has to develop physically than mentally or emotionally. The Warriors don't need to draft a potential Jerome Moiso.

Along those lines, some players that I have concerns about in this draft:

Taft:
Passive at times? Still hasn't put up huge numbers ... Has a good level of motivation but needs to develop a killer instinct ... Must continue to develop low-post game? Has all the tools to dominate but has yet to really do so? Needs to call for and demand the ball from teammates ? (nbadraft.net)

Aleksandrov:
Many questions have been asked about Aleksandrov?s character. He?s a player that doesn?t seem to have enough killer instincts, perhaps not being able to become a clear leader, a go-to guy to assume the offensive responsibility of his team. He could also use some extra aggressiveness in certain situations. (draftcity.com)

Petro:
He definitely has great potential but has to change attitude on the court and play harder. Has still slow foot work, not helped with lazy attitudes at times. Shot is not developed and doesn?t even look for the ball yet. Doesn?t move well on offense and could get a lot more done especially offensive rebounding. Has to play harder. Defense is limited right now in having a great body to deny shots or change their way. Could be but is not a shot blocker, and doesn?t move feet quick enough to guard smaller post players. Reaction is still slow. (nbadraft.net)

 

Kind of sums up my sense,Petro is an interesting prospect but Olowokandi has even more tools and never had the focus and desire,which is why I look to guys I SEE give max effort and get big time results. With H Warrick,Sheldon Williams,Danny Granger,--obviously Bogut,you can see them play, you can examine the stats,and know you won't have a wasted pick. If we did a trade down, got Williams or Ganger---cool. There are other achievers too, Wayne Simien had a 20 rbd game for Kansas tonight, Saleem Stoudamire has a remarkable 3 pt %, and there are quite a few other solid talents in this draft Few happen to be 7 ft centers which is why Andy Beans and N Shika are on the roster. We have them,plus Zarko,which is plenty of tall mystery prospects to try out for now. I also agree on Taft,so he is an inch taller than Larry Roberts who is said to be round 2-yet Roberts stats are might impressive next to Tafts. Sheldon Williams and Ike Diogu,some feel, won"t enter because they are not "projected" as high as Taft,or various mystery imports,but look at the stats-that is real world results

 

Is Shelden Williams going pro? Or staying abother year?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting celticsfuture8:</div><div class="quote_post">Is Shelden Williams going pro? Or staying abother year?</div>
Who knows. That guy is like Elton Brand, right?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting goldenstatefan:</div><div class="quote_post">The worst case scenario for the Warriors is if top players - like Chris Paul, Marvin Wiliams, etc. - start dropping out of the draft.

As far as Taft...what is going on with him? I don't follow the Big East much, but given the hype about him before the season, his numbers make him look like an underachiever. 7 pts, 3 rebs against UConn last week...only averging 13 and 7 for the year.

Shouldn't a potential top 5, maybe top 3, draft pick - even if only a sophomore - be able to dominate more in college basketball?

I'd rather take a chance on a player that has to develop physically than mentally or emotionally. The Warriors don't need to draft a potential Jerome Moiso.

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Man, this draft is starting to suck. You can't get the whole package, it's either potential or guys who are already ready, but don't have the desire to be all they can be. We'll see if this draft is a repeat of 2002. Maybe we'll be suprised and the Saint is still secretly employed by the Warriors for scouting purposes.

 

It is as wierd as the draft has been,even recent years there were a handful of guys at the top you had a pretty good idea about. In this bunch many projections just guessed one dude will enter and another won't and with,in the recent drafts,the naturals getting drafted before developing,the core of upperclassmen isn't big. We also get fed the notion some guys are just NBA material-even if they seem unable to produce the results to back up such a rating. The notion that a guy who is 6-9 or 6-10 and has a bit of natural talent will ever be a decent pro is a reach. I really hope a few other teams fish for some kid who thinks he can get rich without getting sweaty-and leaves the W's a guy who has shown us a solid game plus the dedication to keep improving every year.

 

It seems that the NBA draft is going to be as non-thrilling as this years NFL draft. Whether the league is feeling the after-effects of so many high schoolers bailing on college and going straight to the league is a good question.

If Amare had gone to college, he would definitely be the 1st overall this year. But now, all we have are big question marks and foreign projects.

I agree with REREM, I hope the early lottery teams decide to take guys with big upsides and leave some grizzled ready to play college studs for the W's.

 

Martynas A-----,the 7-3 Lithuanian is a backup to an American, Tanoka Beard,a name that rings a bell as a decent college player some years back. Beard is scoring 19 with 10 boards.....Martynas A scores 5 ppg,3 rbd,which is about the same as Petro's current stats. Tanoka Beard is no Kevin Garnett,and nobody seems much interested in him,so it would appear that Martynas A would need a few years to just get to where Zarko is,and that's about when his rookie contract ends. A trade down plan seems worth considering.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">Martynas A-----,the 7-3 Lithuanian is a backup to an American, Tanoka Beard,a name that rings a bell as a decent college player some years back. Beard is scoring 19 with 10 boards.....Martynas A scores 5 ppg,3 rbd,which is about the same as Petro's current stats. Tanoka Beard is no Kevin Garnett,and nobody seems much interested in him,so it would appear that Martynas A would need a few years to just get to where Zarko is,and that's about when his rookie contract ends. A trade down plan seems worth considering.</div>
Rerem, which team do you think is a good team to trade down to? And are you thinking we're going for the under-sized power forward a la Mike Sweetney / Al Jefferson?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Rerem, which team do you think is a good team to trade down to? And are you thinking we're going for the under-sized power forward a la Mike Sweetney / Al Jefferson?</div>

If we could get a bigger and stronger version of one of them in the draft, I would be very happy. Those players can both get double-doubles a night in their prime and most of them down low

 

Shawn Bradley was a foot taller than Charles Barkley but Barkley was a mucc better rebounder. We get measurements of how tall a guy is but not usually his vertical reach. A 6-8 guy with a short neck and long arms may be effectively bigger than some 6-11 guys,plus attitude,bulk,and strength factor in. Over the years I saw that the guys who are the top college rebounders will be solid pro rebounders. Likewise the guys who didn't board in colleg don't tend to pick it up later. When it comes to shooting and scoring,college results are less apt to predict pro success. When it comes to defense,team play,passing,consistant hustle and dedication to improving,training,stats only hint at what's there.

So far it seems Orlando and Toronto have multiple #1's,with others possible. A lot of deals are conditional,a team gives a #1 but only if not top 10 in 05,top 5 in 06. The team holding that pick then has to decide when to cash in for best value. A trade down also could aim to get a pick and a player or a multi team deal with some players could land us picks from two different teams.
I was looking at some mock draft sites and there is quite a spread when a lot of guys get rated. I do see some names often slotted high,for no clear reason. With a guy who plays college ball,we get to see them and we have some idea about level of competition. The info on imports is so fuzzy,you hear this 19 yr old is tall,quick,point g skills,NBA 3 range--then find out he's still a backup in a league dominated by ex-CBA refugees,and he has no interest in D

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting J-Rich23:</div><div class="quote_post">If we could get a bigger and stronger version of one of them in the draft, I would be very happy. Those players can both get double-doubles a night in their prime and most of them down low </div> Yeah but they also don't play any defense... but hey I'm just being picky. I'd kill for a Zach Randolph player right about now.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">Shawn Bradley was a foot taller than Charles Barkley but Barkley was a mucc better rebounder. We get measurements of how tall a guy is but not usually his vertical reach. A 6-8 guy with a short neck and long arms may be effectively bigger than some 6-11 guys,plus attitude,bulk,and strength factor in. Over the years I saw that the guys who are the top college rebounders will be solid pro rebounders. Likewise the guys who didn't board in colleg don't tend to pick it up later. When it comes to shooting and scoring,college results are less apt to predict pro success. When it comes to defense,team play,passing,consistant hustle and dedication to improving,training,stats only hint at what's there.
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I see what you mean. Good example of this is J-Rich. 6'4 guard with the reach of a much taller player that is arguably one of the strongest, best rebounding guards. Plus he's got heart. Jrich has improved every single year and he is an underrated passer.