After coming into work and reading up on my nba rumors through espn to hoops insider, I am beginning to worry that the Warriors may lose everything.  Sources from our own GSOM are telling us that Josh Smith is not even on our radar!  I'd like to know who is on our radar, I mean christ if one of the best available free agents who isnt coming off of a major injury is not on our radar I have a feeling there is no one our radar. 

I want to begin by first voicing my honest disapproval of waiting until 2010 to make a big offer to a big time player.  I understand a lot of big names like LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire, Carlos Boozer, and many more are going to be "available".  However, all of their respected teams are also going to have the money to resign them and the wild cards of New York and New Jersey cleaning house to make room for King James.  Thus, in 2010, many teams are going to have money to spend not just the Warriors, so the time to make a move is now when there are just 3 teams with cap space: Warriors, Philly, and Memphis.  And let's be honest Memphis will not be making a big spalsh most likely.  And also, most of these guys would not want to play for the Warriors in all honesty.  What do we hvae to offer them? Money?  Last time I checked money does not win rings in any sport, just ask the Yankees and Knicks. 

Moving right along, let's now vent about Elton Brand:

Let's be honest the only real talk about the Warriors signing a free agent is Elton Brand and we all know he is not going to sign with us.  This is all a huge ploy to pretend like he is mulling over our offer, so the Warriors and NBA officials do not believe that there is collusion between Baron Davis, Elton Brand, and the Clippers.  But in reality, we all know Elton Brand's agent pulled this whole deal off.  He was the one who contacted Baron and told him Elton would take a pay cut to bring in a PG like himself and that this would be a perfect opportunity to come home and try to make a deep run into the play-offs.  The Warriors never had a shot in signing Brand.  He is just acting like he mulling over the decision.  And the academy goes to .... 

And now there is a source on GSOM saying we aren't even tryign to go after Josh Smith.  Um two words...WHY NOT?  First of all, this is a young talent that we can build a franchise around with Monta Ellis.  Now I know everyone is going to say we already have AR, B Wright, and Al Harrington why do we need another young PF.  Answer! Josh Smith was built to be in a Warrior's uniform.  He is super athletic, can take people off of the dribble at the PF position, dunk and finish on anybody, bring an inside presence on defense when monta lets his man to the basket every time and will block shots and get us boards.  He is also only 22!  We should be paying this guy 65-75M to come play for us and front load the deal so the Hawks will not be inclined to do so since they already have a lot of big contracts like Joe Johnson (14.2M) and Mike Bibby (15M) and not to mention our good old friend Speedy CLaxton is making a little over 6M.  Plus, the Hawks dont want to spend 15M for Josh Smith and would be much happier just resigning childress.

Now, I agree landing Andre Iguodala is almost going to be impossible to sign.  FIrst of all, Philly has a ton of cap space as well and probably will not let him go, however, we could try to tie their hands up if we offered say a 5yr 65-75M offer.  THis would eat up some of their cap space and thus, make it harder for them to pursue Josh Smith or our own Andris Biendrins.  I love his game and I would not mind having him, the only propblem is he is a SG and Monta is not our answer at PG.  Also, Philly just has too much money.

Now for my worst nightmare:
Depending on what free agents we go after and how we treat Monta and Andris we could be in a world of hurt.  Imagine, Mullin tries to low ball Monta or Andris or Monta just decides he doesn't want to play for us anymore.  He can take a one year tender at about 1M and just walk to any team he wants next year.  I mean there are all these rumors regarding Monta's love for New York.  Well, let's see the New Knicks are cleaning house and going to drop Marbury (20M off of the books), looking to trade Crawford, Randolph, and David Lee (another 25M or so off the books).  Hmmm, seems to me as if the knicks could sign Monta and then use the signing of Monta to lure King James away from Jay-Z.  Just speculating.  It does not take much in the East to be a Contender. 

Enough is Enough!  Somethign has to be done! Mullin cannot expect the Warrior fans to keep paying for season tickets if he is not gonna try to make us a winner in the future or even try to make us better.  I know the faithful will stick through it thick or thin and wait it out.  But in all honesty, didn't we just go through that for 13 years?  Who wants to reapeat that?

Here are my Suggestions I wont go into detail, just list them:

1a. Resign Monta Ellis for a 5 year deal around 45-55M.  No 3 year deal like Kawakami is suggesting because we need to keep him at this cheap price.  Not many teams have their franchise player for only 10M a year.

1b. Resign Beans.  He deserves a new contract, but I do not want to pay more than 8M a year for him.  Let's say a 5 yr deal for 37.5-45M.

2. Sign Josh Smith. period. 5 year 65-75M

3. Investigate on Shaun Livingston and sign him to a 2-3 year deal around 3M a season.  That is not too much of a risk.

4. If the Knicks buy out Marbury, sign Marbury to a 1 year league minimum or up to 2M deal.  He is a one year rental and still provides decent numbers.  To those concerned about him being a cancer two words: Stephen Jackson.  He is our team leader and will not let him get out of hand.

5.  Resign Buike.  He deserves a new contract.  Give him a 3yr deal around 8-10M.  He is a good role player.

6. Trade Harrington and maybe a young draft pick (Belinelli or Wright) for a PG or draft picks.

7.  Look for a new coach.  Nellie is not the answer long term.  He has maybe 2-3 more years, doubtful, but maybe.  Bring in the Celtics Assistant, Tom Thidobeau who was the defensive specialist and all around brains behind Doc RIvers.  He will brign defense to the already most potent offense.  Well I guess what was the most potent offense.

8. Develop AR, he will be a star!