Is it time for Mully to lock up our youngsters?

by psclavos on Feb 5, 2008 8:31 AM PST Comment 15 comments

I have been hearing rumors that Memphis is interested in both Ellis and Biendris signing in the off-season, but especially Monta. I think it would be a huge blow to the franchise to let either one of them go. I have been a firm proponent of Mully being stingy this season but I think it is getting closer to the time for him to resign some people. I mean, we have 3 people signed for next year so far. We can't just risk that everyone is going to want to come back next season. And while we're at it, we should begin talking to Baron. I think he and Monta and Beans have all proven their worth to the team this season, especially all-star snub Baron. What do y'all think?

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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i think

you couldn't be more right, we absolutely cannot get in a position where they got us by the balls, we need those guys and it would take a lot for me to consider other players in exchange for them.

by bigbenny11 on Feb 5, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

recall last summer

RFAa were not moving much, because their teams could match and clubs have realized that overbidding for second tier talent (non-franchise players like Duncan, Garnett, LeBron, etc.) is not in their long term best interests (teams could get stuck with players like Cavs' Larry Hughes, who's a decent enough player but who's contracts are disproportionately large and can't be moved, hamstringing their clubs from making further moves) ... and we don't have to worry (much) about Baron not returning - who is going to pay him more than his option is worth for next year? Who is a more perfect coach for him than Nelson? Come to think of it I'd worry more about Nelson returning ... imo right now Mullin's attention has to be making intelligent use of the TPE and not re-signing RFAs who might be included in trades this month.

by hardcore on Feb 5, 2008 9:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Moot

For starters, Mullin can't sign Biedrins or Ellis or Baron right now. It is against NBA collective bargaining rules to "lock anyone up" right now. Mullin cannot extend an offer to Biedrins or Ellis until the free agent signing period begins after the season is over.

Secondly, Biedrins and Ellis are both going to be restricted free agents. Someone else can offer them dump-trucks full of money (provided they have dumptrucks full of cap space) but we can match any offer.

by jae on Feb 5, 2008 9:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Memphis

how much more of a pay raise would convince u live in Memphis, TN? Come on and they suck. Who wants to lose the whole year too?

by Delinquentsoul on Feb 5, 2008 10:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If he locks up

Monta now, Biedrins and Baron will be pissed.

If he locks up Biedrins now, Baron and Monta will be pissed.

If he tries to lock all of them up now but only gets one or two, the others would be pissed.

So it's better that he waits until the end of the season.

by belilaugh on Feb 5, 2008 10:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not gonna happen.

If he locks up Monta now, the league will invalidate the contract since he cannot offer an extension at this time per the collective bargaining agreement. The league's attorneys will be more pissed than Baron or Biedrins. It's better to wait until the end of the season because that's the only time he can legally do it without being in violation of the collective bargaining agreement, a legally binding document concerning player contracts.

Monta will become a restricted free agent. This is impossible to avoid.

by jae on Feb 5, 2008 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is true.

Making this diary irrelevant.

I would like to know which of the three gets done first. I have to think Andris is a first priority, then Monta and Baron. This is just my guess though.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

by kenntoe on Feb 5, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Who can steal them?

I know its been posted in past diaries but I could not find the answer: which teams will have the capspace to sign one of these guys?

I know Charlotte, Chicago, the Hawks, and Clippers could have enough room if Okafor, Deng, J Smith, and Brand don't return... who else???

by BingBluNT on Feb 5, 2008 3:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

yes

Chicago, charlotte, Atl, and the clippers would have cap room if they didn't sign their own RFA.

They most likely will sign however.

Chicago: They will resign Luol Deng. The same may not be said for Gordon. He may have to take a QO.

Atl: They Will sign Josh smith. Josh Childress will probably be offered the mid-level, but many teams could offer him the full mid-level exception forcing Atl into a tough situation. They already have a roster full of wings, do they use their Mid-level somewhere else?

Clippers: Sterling just came out in saying the Clips will re-sign Brand. Take that with a grain of salt though. Maggette i'm not so sure he'll want to be back.

The main FA markets will be Philly and Memphis.

Philly: If they can move one of Andre Miller (10M) or Reggie Evans (6M?) They'd have roughly 10M or so in free cap space. That 10M in cap space may be enough to tempt an UFA but probably not an RFA seeing as how Philly isn't all that desirable.

Memphis: Gains cap with Kwame's deal expiring. Next, if they can rid of Miller's contract would free up another 8.5 mill for the 08-09' season. Their wet dream would be to unload Cardinal's contract, but good luck on that one.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

by kenntoe on Feb 5, 2008 9:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

is that really it?

Other than the teams you listed, there isn't any other competition?

What about Minnesota? Don't they have Ratliff coming off the books?

by BingBluNT on Feb 6, 2008 1:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the wizard of OZ

addressed this issue with his usually intelligent and well informed cap room space post months ago. Besides the already mentioned fact that we could not sign the "kids" anyway, making this post irrelevant, the more important question is what they will cost us.

If Monta gets carried away (or his agent) he may want to move from a projected 7 to 10 mil. Beans figures to get around 11 or 12 based on what I remember of OZ's previous work and logic. I do not see us getting outbid because very few teams have tons of money and there are many good unrestricted free agents available. However, what could happen is we could completely run out of money to pick off any one of the good unrestricted free agents after signing Monta, Beans, Bukie, Barnes, and two new rooks. In other words, we could end up with the same team as this year except for the rooks and still be in a dog fight for the 8th seed.

One of the untangibles is the TPE which can be used up to a few days past the draft. So if Mully doesn't upgrade us this season using it, he can still play that chit pre draft day. So that is pretty cool.

CWebb is undoubtedly the answer but I forgot the question.

by commish on Feb 5, 2008 7:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Homegrown!

The contract length and value projected for Biedrins was similar to the contracts that Kaman and Dalambert got and should start just under $9 million.

Originally I thought Monta would be in the 6-7 range but he's playing himself into a raise the way things are going. I wouldn't be surprised if his wasn't far off of Biedrins', although I really can't see anyone giving him a max deal.

Where as we've seen Mullin play hardball the past couple seasons, its in the warriors best interest to bring these two back without drama or stinginess.

by BingBluNT on Feb 6, 2008 1:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Amen

to Mully and Co not playing hardball.

CWebb is undoubtedly the answer but I forgot the question.

by commish on Feb 6, 2008 3:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is it "not in our interest..."

Drama was created last year because Pietrus and Barnes thought they were worth more than they really are. That's been proven this season. As OZ has pointed out, Monta is replaceable. While we wouldn't be able to get an exact replica, we could get an efficient, under-sized scorer, pretty much anywhere. There are lots of them around between youngsters and college players (I'm not going to list them, if you want to go back and look at OZ's diary it's around somewhere). I'd pay Monta 6-7M. I would not pay him 10M/year. That's Larry Hughes money.

You're right about Beans, he'll get about 10M/year. But if he asks for 12M/year or Monta demands 9M/year, Mully should not cave in. He knows what they're worth, he knows what they'd be able to get paid on the open market, and he knows what it'll cost to replace them. Let's not revert back to the old Mully and overpay for homegrown talent because of "loyalty." That's what got JRich, Foyle, Dunleavy, and Murphy bloated contracts. The young guys are good and we want to keep them, but unless Cohan is going to start seriously dipping into the luxury tax, we CAN'T afford to overpay.

by Dubs fan in Boston on Feb 6, 2008 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

For next year, that's fine...

I'm fine being "in a dogfight for the 8th seed" for next year. It builds character. That way, when Foyle finally comes off the books, we'll have a seasoned team ready to make a run for it. Nash & Duncan will be over the hill, Kobe will be a step slower, TMac will be out of the league, etc.
Yeah, it probably won't be that great, and other teams will step up, but we're not built to win right now. We have a young team, a giant crappy contract on the books, and an owner who's not going to go into luxury tax for nothing.
In two years, if we're patient, that'll hopefully be fixed and we can convince Cohan to go into the luxury tax for a talented FA (Sheed, J O'Neal, Iverson, Maggette, Odom, Kidd, Marion, Gilbert, Boozer, DWill are notables). It could definitely work, but right now, we're still getting out of salary cap hell.

by Dubs fan in Boston on Feb 6, 2008 12:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs