I was thinking we could start talking here about what the Warriors should do this summer with free agents. The Warriors free agents right now are: Matt Barnes, Josh Powell, Mickael Pietrus, Kelenna Azubuike, and Zarko Cabarkapa. CBS has a good site of the top free agents by position. http://www.sportsline.com/nba/transactions...nts/position/PG One undrafted player that I would like to see get invited to try out for the team is Bobby Brown.
Here are my preferences... PG Steve Blake or Earl Boykins. He would be great off the bench to spell Baron and keep the pace elevated... SG All I want is to resign AZ as cheaply as possible. I would even consider a $3-4m contract. I think he could be a real keeper especially with Jrich gone. Remember how well he played when he started for Jrich a few games? SF I would love to take a flier on Nocioni. Barnes for cheap would be nice too similar to AZ, but he will probably get MLE type money. I would not mind that so long as the contract is only a 3 year contract. Luke Walton is a nice player too. Kapono is a pure 3pt shooter who could really be lights out in our system of raining 3s. PF Darko is a huge body. If we could pick him up I would not have a problem over paying him slightly, especially if we could get rid of Foyle's contract. Darko looked like a man compared to Beans... C Magloire is the only interesting prospect here. Tops on my list is to either get Nocioni or Barnes/AZ. After that I would like Blake to back up Baron and fill in if Baron goes down...
<div class="quote_poster">Warriorfansnc93 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Here are my preferences... PG Steve Blake or Earl Boykins. He would be great off the bench to spell Baron and keep the pace elevated... SG All I want is to resign AZ as cheaply as possible. I would even consider a $3-4m contract. I think he could be a real keeper especially with Jrich gone. Remember how well he played when he started for Jrich a few games? SF I would love to take a flier on Nocioni. Barnes for cheap would be nice too similar to AZ, but he will probably get MLE type money. I would not mind that so long as the contract is only a 3 year contract. Luke Walton is a nice player too. Kapono is a pure 3pt shooter who could really be lights out in our system of raining 3s. PF Darko is a huge body. If we could pick him up I would not have a problem over paying him slightly, especially if we could get rid of Foyle's contract. Darko looked like a man compared to Beans... C Magloire is the only interesting prospect here. Tops on my list is to either get Nocioni or Barnes/AZ. After that I would like Blake to back up Baron and fill in if Baron goes down...</div> I pretty much agree with you across the board here, 93. I think some other intriguing guys are Rashard Lewis and Gerald Wallace. Also, Brevin Knight was just waived by Charlotte (for some inexplicable reason), what a great option there at PG. However, I think the main thing for GS in free agency this year is what they don't do. I think Mully has made some awesome moves so far, and they are poised for success. They have flexibility, youth, star power, attractive city, the best fan base -- right now, they are in the best seat in the house IMO. What I don't want to see is them overspending for a FA this year. If a cheap back-up (Brevin Knight would be great at a few mils IMO) comes up, that's fine. But we just cut cap and created the exemption. The most important thing is preserving this advantage so we can resign Monta / Beans. We don't want to waste it like a 10-year old kid who just got his 1-month allowance. We have to conserve, and spend wisely, if at all, so we're better positioned to do the BIG spending down the road.
Heres my list of solid undrafted FAs to look at for summer league and training camp invites: zabian dowdell, ali traore, kyle visser, trey johnson, ron lewis, ryvon coville, bobby brown, russell carter, brandon heath, mustafa shakur, deshaun wood, JR Reynolds, Qinton Hosley, Cartier MArtin, Avis Wyatt, Sumpter, Radenovic, Mario Boggan, Darryl Watkins Forgive the poor spelling and capitalization, its from an AIM convo with Voodoo Child. I agree with your picks Warriorsfan, Blake, Boykins and ad don Brevin Knight as possible PG FA pick ups. I'd like to sign Travis Outlaw on the cheap to replace Barnes. Nocioni would be nice but probably quite expensive. Maybe we give Mikki Moore a look too?
A few others: Luke Walton, Reuben Patterson, Desmond Mason, and the perennial FA that me and CR2 want to sign every year, Jumaine Jones.
You guys need the legend, formerly known as Hoffa......pair him with S-Jax (Dirk Stopper), sign Patterson (Kobe Stopper), and then Hoffa (Boozer Stopper), then your set.
I doubt we could get G Wallace. Travis Outlaw and A Blatche could be interesting. Nice long futures-but we'd need to pay a pretty stiff price. Moore improved quite a lot-and just as sudden,is nice and mobile--but he's pretty key to the Nets now. Walton is tempting...at worst we drive up the price a bit to the Laker's misfortune. Among the undrafted...both Va Tech guards,Dowdell and Gordon are quite good. Probably the cream of the overlooked.
I think the Warriors will resign Matt Barnes, unless if another team offers him a lot more money. He is Nelson's guy I think. There are so many other free agents that I think Barnes can be had for cheaper than he may otherwise be. I am hoping that Azubuike remains with the team throughout the offseason. Josh Powell may not be signed anywhere. However he may try to join another team's preseason roster. Adding Knight or Boykins would be good. If not then perhaps the Warriors could try to trade a second round pick and the trade exeption for Luke Ridnour, though I wonder if that move would hurt us in trying to resign Monta and Andris.
I think Boykins would be tough to sign for a good price. He will get overpaid. He's getting older and this will probably his last contract. He's looking for a big pay day. I like Brevin Knight though. But maybe something's wrong with him after the injury.
I predict that no one wants barnes.... he gets no offers even near what he thinks he is worth. I think teams will not be fooled by this guy. In any other system he has been a failure. I think teams will afraid to pull the trigger and we can retain him for less than 2 mill. Which i still wouldnt do. There are better players out there cheap. Akubar from SDSU to name one.
<div class="quote_poster">REREM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I doubt we could get G Wallace. Travis Outlaw and A Blatche could be interesting. Nice long futures-but we'd need to pay a pretty stiff price. Moore improved quite a lot-and just as sudden,is nice and mobile--but he's pretty key to the Nets now. Walton is tempting...at worst we drive up the price a bit to the Laker's misfortune. Among the undrafted...both Va Tech guards,Dowdell and Gordon are quite good. Probably the cream of the overlooked.</div> What do you guys think of Kyle Visser? He seems worth a camp invite.
I posted this somewhere else, but it's a FA topic. Just to make note of this: This is from Geoff Lepper, Contra Costa Times: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> What salary obligations do the Warriors still have? They're on the hook for roughly $50 million for the 2007-08 season, either in guaranteed money for Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Baron Davis, Adonal Foyle, Patrick O'Bryant, Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis or qualifying offers made to Mickael Pietrus, Kelenna Azubuike and Josh Powell. That relieves the immediate pressure of incurring luxury-tax penalties, something the Warriors are loath to do. In 2008-09, when big-money extensions to Ellis and Biedrins would kick in -- if Warriors decide to go -- Golden State owes $43.3 million. The season after that, only Harrington and Jackson are guaranteed money, a total of $17.7 million. In other words, the future is wide open. Will the Warriors now be big players in the free-agent market, and what about keeping free-agents-to-be Pietrus and Matt Barnes? They're still going to be over the salary cap, so the best they can offer a free-agent is the midlevel exception, which will be roughly $5.5 million. As for Pietrus and Barnes, things are looking up. The Warriors were expected to keep only one of the pair because of luxury-tax concerns but now can consider bringing both back. The Warriors can match any offer sheet signed by Pietrus because he's a restricted free agent; as an unrestricted free agent, Barnes can get up to the midlevel maximum. What, exactly, is this infamous $10 million trade exception? What good does it do? Can it help the Warriors get Kevin Garnett? Since the Warriors dealt Richardson without taking back any salary -- draft rights are worth $0 for salary-cap purposes -- they are free to absorb up to $10 million worth of excess salary in a future trade or trades completed before June 28, 2008 (assuming they don't stay under the salary cap, which is a safe bet). That means the Warriors can ship out players worth $4 million and get back $9 million worth of talent in return, something ordinarily prohibited by salary-cap rules, and still have $5 million worth of the exception left to use in other deals. There are several restrictions to using the exception; for example, it cannot be combined with another exception or outgoing player salaries to bring in a player worth more than $10 million. But the trade exception will allow the Warriors access to some free agents they wouldn't otherwise have a shot at. Forwards such as Rashard Lewis (Seattle), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte), Darko Milicic (Orlando) and Anderson Varejao (Cleveland) can now be signed by other teams and traded immediately to the Warriors for a relatively small cost. The Warriors also could use the trade exception to sweeten the pot for a player worth more than $10 million, such as Garnett, who's scheduled to earn a league-high $22 million this season. While Golden State would still need to send out $17.6 million in salary to liberate Garnett from Minnesota -- meaning Foyle would almost certainly have to be included -- it could make its offer more palatable by taking on Mark Blount and Mark Madsen in a separate transaction, who will make a combined $9.2 million this season.</div> http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_6269797 Every sports writer seems to explain the exemption differently, but I thought this was pretty good. Also, this from Janny Hu on Jun 30th, from the Chronicle: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Briefly: The Warriors extended qualifying offers to Mickael Pietrus, Kelenna Azuibuke and Josh Powell before today's deadline, giving Golden State the right to match any offers the players receive in free agency. As expected, Zarko Cabarkapa was not tendered, so his Warriors days are likely done.</div> So I wonder what the qualifying offer to Piety was. I'm glad we extended to Powell and Az, too. But if they don't sign Zarko, then there goes my MIP candidate for the upcoming year!?!
Qualifying offer is 5th year of rookie contract. By doing so, Pietrus becomes restricted FA, and he will have an option to accept one year contract from us. Once he accepts a qualifying offer, he can't be traded in that year, and he will become unrestricted FA. Basically, it does put a lot of pressure on other teams that wants to sign Pietrus, and in many cases, players end up accepting qualifying offer and become unrestricted FA at the end. It's a pretty good move by Warriors. Barnes will get tons of offer from number of teams, and his value will be at least MLE. I believe there is a rumor that he will get an offer from Mavs to begin with. Because of his price tag, I don't believe we can retain Barnes...
<div class="quote_poster">Kwan1031 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> I believe there is a rumor that he will get an offer from Mavs to begin with. Because of his price tag, I don't believe we can retain Barnes...</div> I am ok with that. I really think once W's management saw what AZ could do, they put him on the end of the bench so they could re-sign him at a bargain price. From what little we were allowed to see, he seems like an upgrade over Barnes. edit: and i very much hope pietrus is used in a sign and trade. whether it's to help get rid of foyle's deal or cabbage's deal, i don't care. some GM out there is going to think his organization can teach him how to play basketball, and will pay dearly for the privilege
<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I posted this somewhere else, but it's a FA topic. Just to make note of this: This is from Geoff Lepper, Contra Costa Times: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_6269797 Every sports writer seems to explain the exemption differently, but I thought this was pretty good. Also, this from Janny Hu on Jun 30th, from the Chronicle: So I wonder what the qualifying offer to Piety was. I'm glad we extended to Powell and Az, too. But if they don't sign Zarko, then there goes my MIP candidate for the upcoming year!?! </div> re: zarko. by not making a qualifying offer, does that mean we have zero chance of re-signing him? honestly, i have no idea what the rules are with 'qualifying offers'. sorry if it has been explained already
I think Boogielew is being a bit hard on Barnes' value right now. Kwan is probably right that Gms will find a guy like Barnes as very valuable if using his strengths. I think he does more than Pietrus, actually. If Gms didn't think Matt Barnes could contribute for them, then I'd think nobody would have taken the Derek Fisher trade. Barnes could stand to earn a bit of money, but I hope it's not something we're burdened by. I don't want to say screw him, but we want him for as cheaply as possible without any super long term commitment. Just think, if we didn't have crappy Foyle, we could have gotten a lot better player than Barnes for the right amount of money... But whose fault is that giving out crazy contracts to bench players who hadn't even cracked the starting rotation and had come off an injury year and was about to turn 29. There's just no upside to riding Foyle for 6 years nor was there any benefit of keeping him over a cheaper shotblocking replacement. It's really Foyle's fault why Jrich is gone now. And now it's sort of like a mini-roster overhaul where we don't want to make mistakes and get tied up with Barnes or Pietrus' limitations thinking they are starters. They both have strengths, but it's not enough to tip the scales on a nightly basis. It's like with Foyle. Yeah we got shotblocking and offensive rebounding... but what else does he not do to earn the starting job? He ain't worth it. Let's drop money on guys that are worth it and stop risking it on guys who don't have basketball brains to begin with and don't expand their games because of that reason. I'd say if we're talking about guys who have relied primarily on high energy to get the job done, who has the most all-around game, the most strengths, and fewest weaknesses? I think it's Barnes out of all 3 scrubs. I'd rather have Barnes more than Foyle or Pietrus. If we want a replica of Pietrus and play him at power forward, we get some taller track athlete like Ndudi Ebi or Travis Outlaw. If we want a 3 point shooter, let's grab a guy that can play some guard and can score in a variety of ways like a forward. I'm sure there's a bunch of college/international/nbdl guys that have the quickness to stay with it. I just don't want to spend any more time with Pietrus' severe weaknesses as a basketball player and trying to develop what little of his game he actually can develop. The player we see now is basically the player we'll see for the next few years. Let's not kid ourselves. Did Foyle ever showcase that "hidden" offensive talent he was about to whip out? The dude couldn't even catch the ball or make a simple open layup or dunk.
BTW, I'm really sad if we're not giving Zarko a chance. I think he could do well, but apparently Nelson has it out for him. I hope some other NBA team can give Zarko a chance. He's been the best European forward not named Dirk Nowitzki, Peja, Andre Kirilenko, Andres Noccioni, or Pau Gasol. At least I think. He's better than Darko and Tsktishvilli and Bostjan Nachbar or those young Russians that went to Portland.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">BTW, I'm really sad if we're not giving Zarko a chance. I think he could do well, but apparently Nelson has it out for him. I hope some other NBA team can give Zarko a chance. He's been the best European forward not named Dirk Nowitzki, Peja, Andre Kirilenko, Andres Noccioni, or Pau Gasol. At least I think. He's better than Darko and Tsktishvilli and Bostjan Nachbar or those young Russians that went to Portland.</div> I agree, I love this guy. IMO he's just had bad luck. He wasn't extended an offer so he won't be staying, unfortunately. Sucks for Biedrins too since Zarko is his best friend.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">BTW, I'm really sad if we're not giving Zarko a chance. I think he could do well, but apparently Nelson has it out for him. I hope some other NBA team can give Zarko a chance. He's been the best European forward not named Dirk Nowitzki, Peja, Andre Kirilenko, Andres Noccioni, or Pau Gasol. At least I think. He's better than Darko and Tsktishvilli and Bostjan Nachbar or those young Russians that went to Portland.</div> Don't think Nellie has it out for him, he was injured all of last season, back injuries are usually chronic injuries that are hard to make go away. We have 13 roster spots occupied assuming Lasme sticks and we re-sign Azu and Powell, I'd rather use the last two on cheap serviceable, consistent veterans that we pick up during FA. Zarko showed some decent potential but showed more than anything that hes not consistent at all, in any aspect of his game. We're already going to have 3 rookies and 3 guys who have never gotten consistent minutes in the NBA (Azu, Powell, POB). We need more guys who we'll know what we can expect from them night in and night out, not guys like Zarko who are highly inconsistent. Plus the guy is 26, what you see now is basically what you're going to get for the rest of his career. Good luck in Europe Zarko.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think Boogielew is being a bit hard on Barnes' value right now. Kwan is probably right that Gms will find a guy like Barnes as very valuable if using his strengths. I think he does more than Pietrus, actually. If Gms didn't think Matt Barnes could contribute for them, then I'd think nobody would have taken the Derek Fisher trade. Barnes could stand to earn a bit of money, but I hope it's not something we're burdened by. I don't want to say screw him, but we want him for as cheaply as possible without any super long term commitment. Just think, if we didn't have crappy Foyle, we could have gotten a lot better player than Barnes for the right amount of money... But whose fault is that giving out crazy contracts to bench players who hadn't even cracked the starting rotation and had come off an injury year and was about to turn 29. There's just no upside to riding Foyle for 6 years nor was there any benefit of keeping him over a cheaper shotblocking replacement. It's really Foyle's fault why Jrich is gone now. And now it's sort of like a mini-roster overhaul where we don't want to make mistakes and get tied up with Barnes or Pietrus' limitations thinking they are starters. They both have strengths, but it's not enough to tip the scales on a nightly basis. It's like with Foyle. Yeah we got shotblocking and offensive rebounding... but what else does he not do to earn the starting job? He ain't worth it. Let's drop money on guys that are worth it and stop risking it on guys who don't have basketball brains to begin with and don't expand their games because of that reason. I'd say if we're talking about guys who have relied primarily on high energy to get the job done, who has the most all-around game, the most strengths, and fewest weaknesses? I think it's Barnes out of all 3 scrubs. I'd rather have Barnes more than Foyle or Pietrus. If we want a replica of Pietrus and play him at power forward, we get some taller track athlete like Ndudi Ebi or Travis Outlaw. If we want a 3 point shooter, let's grab a guy that can play some guard and can score in a variety of ways like a forward. I'm sure there's a bunch of college/international/nbdl guys that have the quickness to stay with it. I just don't want to spend any more time with Pietrus' severe weaknesses as a basketball player and trying to develop what little of his game he actually can develop. The player we see now is basically the player we'll see for the next few years. Let's not kid ourselves. Did Foyle ever showcase that "hidden" offensive talent he was about to whip out? The dude couldn't even catch the ball or make a simple open layup or dunk.</div> I agree the Warriors shouldn't drop starter contracts on Pietrus or Barnes. Pietrus and Barnes have weaknesses but for backups and fill-in starters like when there is an injury, these guys are pretty strong in that area. Both are excellent shooters who can make the three. Plus unlike a player similar to Mike Dunleavy who disappears because of inactivity and little energy, these guys remain productive on the court in some way or another either by creating fast break opportunities, rebounding, Barnes can make some nice assists at time, and Pietrus at times can get the crowd on its feet with some nice put-back dunks or other sweet dunks. I again think people are too harsh on them. If the Warriors can keep Pietrus and Barnes for non-starter money, such as 4-5.6 million dollars per season for maybe 3 or 4 years, then I'd be happy. Everybody, hopefully beginning with Mullin, knows that Baron, Monta, Jackson, Harrington, and Biedrins are the starters and the only ones who deserve starters salaries. As far as Zarko: If he wants to workout with this team and compete for a roster spot with Powell, Lasme, Wright (more depth chart position here), and whichever PF the team brings in, then I'm down with that. But I don't get over thrilled thinking about Zarko right now. I remember seeing a preseason game and he was making Nelson quite upset. But he has some good game. Honestly I doubt Zarko will be a Warrior next season.
