Rumor: Jason Richardson Wants to Go to the Pistons or Bulls

by Atma Brother ONE on Mar 26, 2007 11:33 AM PDT in Rumors Comment 42 comments

This "inside info" comes via blogger hater and rumor generator Sam Smith of ChicagoSports.com:

Jason Richardson is leaving hints that given their infatuation with Monta Ellis Richardson will be the one traded by the Warriors after the season. Richardson is telling friends he's hoping for a trade to the Pistons or Bulls.

Take this rumor with a HUGE grain of salt. I can't remember the last time any of Smith's inside info on the Warriors ever materialized (correct me if I'm wrong on that in the comments). Do you really think JR would be telling his friends that he's hoping to be traded to the Pistons or Bulls while the Warriors are in the middle of a playoff run? Do you really think these "friends" would pass on this information to random guys in the media like Sam Smith? My take- no and nope.

Although I personally doubt the legitimacy of Smith's sources and speculation, there may be a little truth to the Warriors looking to move Jason Richardson this summer. GSoM friend Marcus Thompson recently dropped a piece for the Contra Costa Times noting that Richardson or Davis might be gone next year. Why?

The biggest reason is money. Davis and Richardson are set to make a combined $27.5 million next season. That figures to be nearly half the 2007-08 salary cap, which isn't expected to increase much beyond this season's $53.1 million figure, for just two players. When you throw in the salaries of the players under contract for next season -- forward Al Harrington, swingman Stephen Jackson, guard Monta Ellis and centers Andris Biedrins, Adonal Foyle and Patrick O'Bryant -- the Warriors' salary cap figure is over $60 million next season.

Remember, that figure does not include swingman Mickael Pietrus, forward Matt Barnes and guard Kelenna Azubuike -- neither of whom has a contract for next season. It also doesn't include the 2007 first-round selection (which could be a lottery pick) or that one extra dominant player coach Don Nelson keeps intimating he needs.

If Davis and Richardson somehow remain on the roster for next season, it would be even harder to keep them beyond that. The price tag for them jumps to $30 million in 2008-09, the final year of Davis' contract, which is also the same year the new contracts for Biedrins and Ellis would kick in.

Despite his lowest point totals since his rookie year this season, JR is probably still the most popular player on the Warriors. If the Warriors traded Jason, they'd be committing PR suicide. And if there's one thing Warrior owner Chris Cohan and crew understand it's how to make money off the best fans in the league with an inferior product. It would be shocking to see them move Jason Richardson without at least getting a big name in return.

Since coming back from his injured broken hand, JR's shown us that he has a lot of new weapons in his arsenal. I've never seen JRich pass, defend, and handle the rock like he's been doing recently. He's becoming a well-rounded player, something I never thought I'd say when he first came to the Warriors as a very raw 2 guard who could pretty much just dunk (but oh my could he dunk!). Unless JR's part of a package for a great power forward who can rebound, defend, score points down low, and swat some shots, it doesn't make any hoops sense to move him. If the Warriors do trade Richardson for a 4, it better be for a very good to great 4. Anything less would be, how should I say it?- too "Warrior-like" of a move.

Are there any JRich trades to either the Pistons and Bulls that make sense for both parties? Use ESPN's Trade Machine and post whatever you can come up with in the comments.

Props to loyal GSoM community member goldenboywarrior for linking to this rumor in a diary.

Also see:

99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!

UPDATE: Check out some Bulls' fans thoughts about trading for Jason Richardson over at SBN brother site Blog a Bull: Jason Richardon wants to come to Chicago?

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Comments

whoa

I would never trade JRich. period (cept maybe for ben gordon :D)

by chili01 on Mar 26, 2007 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

here's what I got

Ben Gordon only earns 3 something Million for 2 years

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2381~885~378~1018&teams=9~9~4~4

by chili01 on Mar 26, 2007 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

starting five

G B. Davis
G B. Gordon
F A. Harrington
F B. Wallace
C A. Biendrins

As and Bs.

by chili01 on Mar 26, 2007 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would do that trade in a second

but why would the bulls?

Gordon is similar to J-rich and makes less?

by Zig on Mar 26, 2007 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just saw your trade thing

I take it you are joking

by Zig on Mar 26, 2007 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know

i'm just trying to have fun, I won't allow JRich to go.

here's another unfair trade
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=254~1018~2775~1724~883&teams=8~8~9~9~9

by chili01 on Mar 26, 2007 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the rumor is for

detroit and chicago, because he comes from detroit and the source was CHIGACO sports right?
I don't think he is going to be traded to those teams, but there may be other teams. I don't think the warriors could trade jason richardson for a good player, because jason is still one of the most underrated players in the league. Because next year is Baron's last contract year, according to atma, I would say, give monta the time to develop at point guard, keep j-rich, and don't resign baron davis.

by Jacque on Mar 26, 2007 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

not gonna happen...

JRich loves the Bay, and he's still a star(ter) here. If he went to Detroit, he'd backup Hamilton, and Chicago already has Gordon. If J-Rich were to ask for a trade, it would at least be somewhere where he'd be a bonafide star, I would think. Someplace without a scoring machine SG already...

by bradyk2 on Mar 26, 2007 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't see why Detroit or Chicago

would make this deal

I would hate to see J-Rich go but they might have to do something to move forward. It would have to be the right deal for sure

I do see them having a problem starting J-rich, Jax and Harrington together

by Zig on Mar 26, 2007 12:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

3 WAY W/ WOLVES, BULLS & DUBZ

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2381~285~885~261~3031~254~1018&teams=1 6~9~16~9~4~4~4

KG could help me forget about JRich... no not really but i'd pull the trigger!

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Mar 26, 2007 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

nice

trade, you managed to get Foyle to be traded :D

by chili01 on Mar 26, 2007 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

cap

"Davis and Richardson are set to make a combined $27.5 million next season. That figures to be nearly half the 2007-08 salary cap"

Sort of weird when you look at it this way. The goal is to win. Granted there have been injuries, bad role players etc. but you are basically playing two guys superstar money and they can't even get you to the 8th spot? Couple this with the Dunleavy Murphy and Foyle money...damn

by Zig on Mar 26, 2007 12:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

two stars don't get you there

as nellie says, you need at least three dominant players to make it big.

by OaktownWarrior on Mar 26, 2007 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If...

they traded J-Rich (god forbid), they'd have to keep Mickael Pietrus, and he'd have to step up. Baron's only playing 30 minutes now, which means Monta has to be the PG 18 minutes, which means we need a legitimate SG for those 18 + any time monta's on the bench...I just don't see a trade happening, thank god.

by bradyk2 on Mar 26, 2007 12:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Werd?

Yeah. It makes sense to trade the premier Shooting Guard of our team when Monta is being positioned to take over the point. Right?

If anything happens in the offseason, it seems to me like it will be BD on the outs, not JRich. Plus Mullin just got done hushing this nonsense.

I just don't know what to believe anymore :(

Playoffs in '07, baby!

by coma on Mar 26, 2007 1:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If they did it maybe Jax

would move back to the 2 guard and Harrington to the 3

Harrington has to move, not to sure about Jax, I like him where he is

by Zig on Mar 26, 2007 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see it.

Here's my logic. Jackson would be best as a bench player. The things he brings to the table are irreplacable, but WHEN we get a 4, we're going to need someone to sit the bench. harrington is way too valuble at 3. Jackson should be coming off of the bench in my opinion. a 6th man is what im trying to say

Playoffs in '07, baby!

by coma on Mar 26, 2007 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think, at all ..

Jax would be the one on the move.

I know it'd be difficult to trade him away, but I see Jax being easier to give away than JRich. At least in a Warrior fan standpoint.

by WarriorFanForLife on Mar 26, 2007 2:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This would make no sense

Jason is the only player that's never let us down when healthy. Why trade him instead of one of the others with less heart? We've got pietrus, harrington,cabbages, and monta who would all make more sense to trade. They all have major shotcomings while jason is the best shooting guard we have. We should keep the players that are best at their position( Baron, Jason, Dris) and try to get better, not worse.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 26, 2007 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

PS

forgot to add...If Jason really wanted to play for detroit or the bulls then I'd trade him out of respect for the years he's given us, but if he wants to stay then I'd sign till he retires.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 26, 2007 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please Chris Mullin!

DO NOT TRADE J-RICH!!!!!!!HE'S BEEN MY FAVORITE PLAYER ON THE W's SINCE HE CAME INTO THE NBA!!!!!!!

Rollin into the playoffs like a fat guy rolls into McDonalds!

by duggie25 on Mar 26, 2007 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

trading jrich...

i wouldn't past the front office. they're known for notoriously bad moves and personel issues. i guess if it did come down to ditty and jrich being moved, who would you prefer to keep? Davis is obviously the more talented but can't stay healthy. Jrich on the other hand is the heart and soul of this team but is not quite the superstar/leader that Davis is, though definitely more durable (with the exception of this year of course). I'd much rather move Harrington or Jax in a package with Foyle or Pietrus or perhaps the enticing prospect of POB, but i don't know if that actually solves any of the W's cap woes.

by dj fuzzylogic on Mar 26, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who to trade

I'd much rather trade Baron because of his injury risk and I really like J-Rich in Nellie's O, but there really aren't many logical fits. While Baron is a very talented PG, I just don't see that many teams that need a playmaker PG with the right tools (I don't see him fitting in the Triangle).

That said, what I'd love to do is work a deal for a guy with good PG skills who has the size and defensive ability to balance with Monta long-term. The ideal guy (theoretically) is Mr. Shaun Livingston.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=194~3019~138~2393~566~2016~2786&teams= 12~12~1~9~9~9~12
That's what I ended up with (BD and POB to LAC, Cassell to Atl, and Shaun & Zaza to GSW)

by dprodigy19 on Mar 26, 2007 3:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't see the urgency...

why does this have to happen in the offseason. can't we let these guys play together one more season before letting one of them go. Monta and AB are both signed through next season so worst case is we pay a little luxury tax(easy for me to say).

by olympicmike on Mar 26, 2007 3:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

While 99% of rumors may be fun to talk about...

this one certainly isn't. Its hard to swallow, but if someone is on the way out, it seems all signs point to jrich.

This makes me legitimately upset, as he has done nothing but good by the fans. He's put in a ridiculous amount of work (Exhibit A: his recent rehap stint)and heart, but I;m not sure how else there is to make things work.

by SkipT on Mar 26, 2007 3:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Get Rid of Baron

Nuff said! Sure Baron still plays well. But he hasn't had a full season yet with the team and he's the one making the most money. Next year will be Monta's 3rd year and in professional sports that's when up and comers boom into stars. Monta will have a full offseason to decrease turnovers and learn more about point. Then you throw in J-Rich at the 2, Harrington as a 3, Biedrins at the 5. Who's the 4? Presenting Joakim Noah. That team will probably be the most exciting team since Run-TMC. S-Jax will be 6th man of the year. We also bid adieu to Mikael. We can't afford him and he's not fitting well anymore. Or we somehow need to sign and trade him. I actually like Barnes more now and we can re sign Kelenna.

by j richmark on Mar 26, 2007 3:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I say...

We keep the team as it is and work on staying healthy and getting rebounds. We're pretty damn good when healthy...just imagine how good we could be if we could rebound (I mean we just got outrebounded by 30 and still had a shot to win at the buzzer?)

by bradyk2 on Mar 26, 2007 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wood you do

jrich for mehmet okur straight up? we get a bona fide big and they get a perimiter scorer

the good/bad about being a warriors fan: bad: 13 years...nuff said good: there GSoM

by mydedgerbil555 on Mar 26, 2007 5:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

addng on

the way i see it, if we wanna trade BD or Jrich, we shood trade them to a team that has a reliable big and needs a good gaurd scorer.
some of those teams wood be:
charlotte (also has massive cap room)
utah
minnesota
orlando
memphis
clippers
and maybe indiana
chicago and detroit dont have a need ofr jrich or baron to fill, so theres no need for them to trade and screw up chemistry. also remember that some teams with bigger point gaurds could see baron as a 2 rather then a point. (clippers,heat, wizards)

the good/bad about being a warriors fan: bad: 13 years...nuff said good: there GSoM

by mydedgerbil555 on Mar 26, 2007 5:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

sam smith is a joke

he is a big joke have you guys noticed everytime the Warriors make a trade u never see it or hear about till they do it. Who knew about the Warriors and Pacers trade b4 the trade happened umm.... nobody. so don't believe this junk. But it's fun to talk about it.

by Warrior fan 23 on Mar 26, 2007 5:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I did!

Well .. sort of. I found out the night before. GSoM boys can vouch for me.

by pree on Mar 26, 2007 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

trade baron

I rather seen them both stay but baron has to go. he never plays cause his body is made of plastic. though he plays good i feel we can find a pg that 75% of baron and looks like j rich is starting to get his assist skills up. j rich is our heart, we keeps us alive in everything. if he cant score he will defend, if he wont defend he wont score, and if he cant do either he will pass the ball right to the person that needs it. and if we let him go we just let everyone from the draft season go. murph, arenas, and j-rich. thats just sad especially all of them are good. plus i dont want all my richardson jerseys to be useless!

by 24k state fan since 87 on Mar 26, 2007 6:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

but

everyoe knew about the BD trade at least a few days before it happened

and i realize that the chicago and detroit thing aint real, but its probably true that mully is trying to move one of them.

the good/bad about being a warriors fan: bad: 13 years...nuff said good: there GSoM

by mydedgerbil555 on Mar 26, 2007 6:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

they'd better not! :(

j rich is my favorite warrior! id rather see BD go, his knee is always so worrisome. actually, id like to see them both stay and play for an entire season

by The City Warjorz on Mar 26, 2007 6:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

suceeded

ESPN trade machine passed this:

JRich + Al for Gordon and Wallace

by jtoj on Mar 26, 2007 8:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

why would the Bulls ever do this?

by Zig on Mar 26, 2007 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the money saved over the years

$$$$$

by jtoj on Mar 27, 2007 12:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Send JRICH AWAY!

Finally!! Ive been waiting for this day!! Send him to Chicago to a winning franchise and bring us a sharpshooter like Ben Gordon who can fire the 3 with no problem. For anyone who thinks the Bulls would trade Wallace and Gordon are crazy. Send Richardson away! He hasnt developed into the star we all though he would be! I bet u everyone now regrets giving up Gilbert Arenas instead of J-Rich! Reality: Dunking doesnt show skill! Its just an overrated skill! Also there are no extra points for nice dunks, its still 2 points. Ballin'

My hope for the playoffs is falling short. I believed this whole season, but this team cant win! Bring on unlucky 13 and hopefully we'll strike gold in the lottery!

by ballin on Mar 26, 2007 8:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

this is one of the dumbest things i've ever read on this site. at least most of the people who say things i disagree with actually provide something valid to back it up. this....just wow.

by AJC3317 on Mar 26, 2007 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

why we should keep J-rich

He made the team apologizee for not making the playoffs he truly cares about being a warrior not that baron doesn't care i'd rather see baron go than to see jason go even though monta isn't a true distributer he plays like iverson minus the 3 pointers which is still good

by StephenO4 on Mar 26, 2007 11:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Want a real JRich trade!

The team needs a big guy and Gasol wants out as does KG most likely. Trade scenarios:

JRich, Harrington and either this draft's 1st rounder or O'bryant for Gasol and either Cardinal or Swift
JRich, Harrington and O'bryant for KG

by migya on Mar 27, 2007 6:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

who knows

POB might have a breakout next season. monta and biedrins made a impact this year, and if he does you can put POB at the 5 and biedrins at 4. they could be the new twin towers. but thats just a dream.

by BiGTANTAN on Mar 30, 2007 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs