Hello Friends,

   I'm sure everyone is aware that BD has an opt out available to him, and everyone, including myself, is wondering if he's going to take it or not.  I read something suprising today, apparently BD is willing to stay with the W's at a discount in hopes to sign long term and bring in some talent, which is exactly what he would have to do to get the extension he wants. 

   So what's Mullin waiting for?

   If the article is correct, and BD is willing to sign a contract near the current value of other PGs such as Nash, Arenas, Kidd, and Billups, that's relatively good news for the Warriors:

"Some players comparable to Davis in terms of veteran point guards include Phoenix's Steve Nash (who is playing on a six-year, $63 million deal), Detroit's Chauncey Billups (five years, $60 million), Washington's Gilbert Arenas (six years, $65 million) and Dallas' Jason Kidd (six years, $103 million)."

Nash: 6yr/$63M averages out to $10.5M per year.

Billups: 5yr/$60M averages out to $12M per year.

Arenas: 6yr/$65M averages out to $10.83M per year.

Kidd: 6yr/$103MM averages out to $17.16M per year.   *It's worth noting that I think it's reasonable to assume that no PG is going to get a contract like this, so for the sake of this diary Kidd's contract will not be used.

-The Nash/Billups/Arenas contracts were 6, 5, and 6 year contracts.  Since there is no such thing as a 5.333 year contract, I'll round it up to a 6 year contract. 

-The average combined salaries of the 3 other players contracts is $62.66M.  So I'll round that up to $63M.

-That makes a 6yr/$63 contract at $10.5M per year.  With the Warriors new found contract conscience, and the apparent leverage they have in these negotiations (and an attempt at a compromise) I'll make it a 5yr/$52.5M contract with a team option to make it up to a 6yr/$63M deal.

Health: what the players average games played since 2001-2002:

Since BD reportedly is comparing himself to these players, and health is clearly an issue, how does his average games played per season stack up against the rest?

Note:  Had to use 2001-2002 as a starting point because it was Gilbert Arena's first year in the league.  Since then...

Arenas:  avg 61.5 games played per year.

Nash:  avg 79 games played per year. 

Billups: avg 77.5 games played per year.

BD:  avg 63 games played per year

So while BD is younger than both Nash and Billups, he has played, on average, almost 15+ less games per season.  When making an investment of this type, health is extremely important. 

At 29, is BD's health more likely to improve or decline over the next 5-6 years? 

Considering that BD is willing to make the sacrafice, what do you think is holding up the Warriors, or more specifically, Chris Mullin at this point?

-Health concerns?

-Legnth of contract?

-Amount of contract?

-How BD fits with the post Don Nelson era of the Warriors, which a new contract would bring him into this era.

-Future salary cap concerns?  Wright, Biedrins and Ellis could be the core for years to come.

-All of the above?

-Other?