Rumor: Warriors Trying Hard for Yi Jianlian

by Atma Brother ONE on Jun 28, 2007 8:23 AM PDT in Rumors Comment 2 comments

There's no better way to begin the 2007 NBA Draft day for Warriors Nation than with a little Yi fun. From Janny Hu of SFGate:

In particular, Golden State would love to select Chinese forward Yi Jianlian, according to league sources, but the Warriors need an unlikely and major jump from their current 18th slot.

Yi, a consensus lottery pick, could go as high as No. 3 and isn't expected to get past the Bulls at No. 9.

"They're trying," one source said of the Warriors' springboard attempts. "But I don't know if they're going to get there."

...

What's known is that the Warriors have been tracking Yi since well before vice president Chris Mullin watched the 7-footer play in the Chinese Basketball Association Finals in March.

Golden State was one of the first teams to see Yi work out in Los Angeles when special assistant Mitch Richmond was invited to an open session with Chinese media. Mullin then went back to see him two weeks ago with coach Don Nelson and assistant Larry Riley.

Unless the Warriors are creating an elaborate smokescreen, they view Yi as an ideal fit for their up-tempo style. The forward averaged 24.9 points and 11.5 rebounds for the Chinese league's Guangdong Tigers last season and would be a huge attraction for the Chinese market here and the Warriors' overseas.

Yi's talks about the one year strong The Yi Movement with reporters.

Maybe you've heard about this Yi character. Maybe you haven't. In the words of Biggie- "If you don't know, now you know!"

Also, both Jason Richardson and Monta Ellis have been in the rumor mill pretty much nonstop recently. Here's what Hu has on those rumored deals:

A reported deal involving guard Monta Ellis for Atlanta's 11th pick was rejected by the Warriors on Tuesday. Golden State also is believed to have dismissed the notion of moving Jason Richardson for an even higher pick.

I can honestly say that I have absolutely no idea what the Warriors are going to do today, but that's what makes it so much fun. My boy DJ Fuzzylogic and I have been hyping this up as the best day of summer. Make sure to stay tuned to GSoM throughout the entire day- DJ Fuzzylogic, Fantasy Junkie, and I will be posting numerous updates up until the NBA Draft at 4pm and then our 3rd annual live blogging festivities will kick off.

DO NOT SLEEP.

Do you think the Warriors are genuinely interested in Yi or is it part of some crazy smokescreen?

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

Nonstop Yi:

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interested, suuuuure

Mullin's learning from the master of deception, and playing it close to the vest - none of us will know until it happens, but Hu's prediction that the if the Warriors stay at No. 18 they'd roll the dice on Sean Williams fits the profile ....

by hardcore on Jun 28, 2007 8:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs