Grade Larry Riley's offseason

I'm giving him a B. This gives me room to change it to an A or a C (or worse) once the season starts. He shed bad contracts that we endlessly complained about, addressed a specific need (rebounding) with a high-profile acquisition (he made the Warriors players in the most historic FA market in NBA history) and showed that he's willing to take a risk (no risk, no reward...I like that) rather than rely on hopes. In a vacuum, I actually think the loss of Turiaf and Azubuike is good because their health is questionable.

I like that the Udoh pick was to address a specific need (defense) even though it was an unpopular move; I don't necessarily believe in drafting the "best player available." What does that mean anyway?

I like how each of his FA signings were to fulfill a certain role on the team. I like how all those players were signed to small contracts and how they are all relatively young. It means that they will want to prove themselves and play hard. I like how all those guys are nice guys with no ego.

I'm impressed that a lot of his moves were the same move that the fans have been echoing all summer long. It means he's able to deliver when called upon, which we didn't think possible given his "ties" with Nellie and the Warriors reputation for being dysfunctional losers.

I really like Riley's demeanor and honesty. He never over-promised, sugar-coated, or diverted issues. I think Mike Singletary should take notes!

 

To break it down:
D+ for the draft, passable but lacking effort. Yeah, it's not his fault that our draft spot was horrible, but he didn't do anything with the first round pick or pick up extra picks like Portland, Oklahoma, or Dallas managed to do. Of course, they used money to get the picks too, so again, maybe not his fault as much as his budget's, but I felt that he could have done something creative.

A for the Maggette trade since I never thought anyone would ever bite on Maggette until he was an expiring contract. Although, like how all bad credit wasn't his for the draft, he can't take all the good credit either - some of it has to go to Milwaukee for deciding to absorb more money. He also grabbed some money for downgrading the second pick before trading it away, sort of like finding money for free given that he was probably going to have to part with the pick anyway.

B- for the Lee trade, the fact that he managed to get an all-star and marketable property in a fair deal. Although Randolph was a tough loss, and I liked Turiaf and Buike, the latter two were easily replaceable (as seen by the FA signings done this summer). Plus, we didn't give up a first round draft pick - only a second rounder. So really, we only gave up Randolph. Many feel that Randolph will be better than Lee, and I do as well, but the question is whether it would have been "fast" enough to be worth hanging on to him - could we have built with him with all the problems he's had and with a culture of losing? It was the right move, in my eyes, to do this. The only true negative is the size of Lee's contract, but at least it's not a max contract.

B- for the rest of the free agent period - pretty solid, but not spectacular. Given the cap space and changing ownership situation, he did very well with signings, but he didn't manage any further possible trades, which is why it's only a B. He built depth with good-value players, didn't overpay, and identified the correct areas in need of help, spending accordingly. (Versus say, Kahn who overpaid by a lot, didn't identify any areas but instead hit every area while blindfolded, and although I like the players he signed individually, there lacked any actual semblance of putting together a "team" - he only put together a collection of future potential trade bait.) A relatively small complaint is that it seemed that the Warriors whiffed on the foreign leagues. Maybe it's a financial thing, as scouting the D-League is easier than looking overseas at players that play a different style of ball, but still - there were some steals by other teams that they missed out on. The larger complaint that downgraded him from A to B was the minor returns on Morrow and Watson and lack of further moves on the trade front and the lack of any brilliant moves like how the Jazz absorbed Jefferson or even going back to how the Wizards got a first round pick and Hinrich for giving the Bulls a chance at a max free agent.

Overall though, it's about a B-/C+, no major mistakes, some bright spots, but not consistently good. Relative to the league, he didn't pull off any miracles, but gave up and picked up fair contracts unlike other teams who gave some absurd contracts out. He did really well on finding budget players off the bench, paying them less than what comparable players were paid in the same offseason, and limiting their years.

 

Should've drafted Greg Monroe over Ekpe Udoh. Udoh could prove me wrong, but he'll have to have a heck of a half season if Monroe does well.

I like the David Lee deal. Lee and Stephen Curry will be part of the future and there could be an all-star or two all-stars there. We've said the same thing about Ellis and AB with Mullin, but I think we're closer to getting an all-star with Lee and Curry. Riley was trying to get Amare before Lee. This is his biggest deal. It's definitely better than AR and Curry or AR, Ellis and AB with Mullin. The neg on David Lee is his defense which will have to be addressed elsewhere.

Riley's second biggest deal was getting rid of Maggette and his contract. Excellent deal.

Third would be shoring up the bench. It's coming along and looks a lot better than before. I still think we need a 3-pt shooter and backup PG. Lin's a big question mark.

Overall, the general consensus is the Warriors are still cellar dwellers in the West. The key is how are we shaped up for the future to get another key piece if Monta Ellis and AB aren't the answers. What will Riley do to address this situation? The Warriors could be out of the running for Carmelo Anthony because of lack of first round picks to deal. Of course, that wasn't Riley's fault, but Mullin's.

The negs on Riley are that he didn't fire Don Nelson and move Keith Smart up. He didn't do enough to stockpile second round picks.

Not firing Nelson really drops his grade in my book. I'd give Riley a C+ when he could've gotten a solid B or even a B+ if he gets another solid bench player for cheap. If Riley was sharp enough to fire Nelson and get Avery Johnson when he was available, then I'd give him a solid A. He would have gotten rid of the perception that he was Nelson's puppet and poised the Warriors for big positive changes in the near future.

 

Many people liked Udoh over Monroe. We'll never know until both players put a year of work under their belts. Right now that draft spot was so blah that it's hard to pass any judgment.

Riley somehow got rid of Mags. Not only that, but he got back cap a lot of cap space in return (Gadz $7 + mils + Bell PO for $4 mils)... Just when I thought we were saddled to watch three more year of "Air Mags" Trying to be Allen Iverson and shoot 40 times a game. This move was awesome for three reasons. 1st, because I didn't think it was possible. 2nd, because not every GM would accept their mistake and try to shed a big name player like that... it took guts... 3rd, because it was a good value. Basically, it was addition by subtraction anyway, just getting Mags out of Curry's way will help the team... but to get back cap space in return was a nice prize.


I like the David Lee trade, he fits well with the current roster. Perfect to build around Curry. Cashed in on several assets who may not ever pan out into anything remarkable. Definitely a good move IMO.

I like the Dorrell Wright move, the Jeremy Lin move, the Louis Amundson signing was a coup IMO, and I don't mind giving Carney a shot. All moves were made over time, as well... no knee jerk reactions... good values for the players, too... nothing to committal... smart, conservative pieces that should fit with the roster... can't argue there...

Nothing too flashy, but Riley has quietly cleaned up this roster and set the stage for Steph Curry. The only thing I didn't like was losing Morrow. That kid was all heart and you can't quantify that... he was a special player on this team and he shot friggin darts from three... But all in all, after doing some Riley-bashing early on, I can't really complain. In the end, is quietly made some interesting moves, solid, conservative moves, with an eye on building around Curry.

B+