Can Kelenna Azubuike Be Had?
by dakoose on Nov 11, 2009 2:31 PM PST
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PrintY'all probably don't keep a close eye on the Bulls, but as a Bulls fan with a lot of free time in the PM I've watched my fair share of Warriors basketball the last couple of years. One guy that's always stood out to me is Kelenna Azubuike, and being that the Bulls suck at putting the ball in the basket and also lack any semblance of a competent shooter, Azubuike came to mind as a good trade target.
When it comes to your management's view of it's own players, I'm clueless, so I'm looking for a little help here. What's Azubuike's status in Warrior land? Is he loved by the fans? Does Nelson value him as an asset or does he deem him expendiable? Basically, what would it take for the Bulls to land Kelenna Azubuike? All feedback is appreciated.
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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We love our Buike.
I don’t think we would trade him straight up for anyone (that any other team would realistically be willing to give us) but maybe as part of a multiplayer deal.
He’ll be starting SF if/when Jackson gets traded. One of my favorite Warriors and on a GREAT, cheap contract (3mil/yr for the next 2 years) for somebody that can average 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1-2 combined steals/blocks a night. Only way we’d trade him is for D Rose =) I love his game and him as a player. I’m just scared he’ll want to bail on us when his contract is over and we won’t be able to re-up for him or take less money somewhere else just to get away from Golden State.
WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...
Buike will opt out of his contract after this year and leave this summer.
So there is a strong chance he might get traded, since he will get out of here as soon as he can this summer.
by The Golden One on Nov 11, 2009 11:12 PM PST up reply actions
Can Kelenna Azubuike Be Had?
Probably not or shells or GTTM woulda had him by now?
Standing on the moon
Where talk is cheap and vision true
Standing on the moon
But I would rather be with you
Somewhere in San Francisco
On a back porch in July
Just looking up to heaven
At this crescent in the sky
by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 11, 2009 2:47 PM PST reply actions
it's not like it's easy for Kelenna to be had!
But we’re still trying anyway…
And to dakoose: NO! You guys can’t have Kelenna. Are you flippin’ kidding me? I would only trade him for Lebron. That’s it. But even then, I’d be heart broken but it it’s for the good of the warriors team, I’d do it.
Will this matter a year from now?
by girltothemax on Nov 14, 2009 12:31 AM PST up reply actions
He is loved
And once we jettison Jax, he’ll be far more necessary. We do need competent bigs though. How do you guys like Stephen Jackson?
Want to give us Brad Miller for Stephen Jackson and Speedy Claxton (expiring)?
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Nov 11, 2009 2:47 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
From what I've seen of Jax,
he likes the ball in his hands, and that’s not gonna go well with Derrick Rose. Not that Derrick would have a problem deferring, but the Bulls wouldn’t likely bring in someone to take the ball out of his hands other than Lebron, Wade, or some other player of that ilk.
Metal sharpens metal.
And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan
Jax has been all over the map
With the Warriors, he’s certainly had to play the “ball in his hands” role far more than ideal. I’m not convinced that he’d be the same elsewhere. But, you’re probably better off without him.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Nov 11, 2009 3:49 PM PST up reply actions
I (kinda) agree with you dakoose
But Jack was at his best when he played alongside Baron with us. Another ball dominant guard. On a competitive team, Jack is a great 3rd option.
Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.
I told Randolph that Bill Russell would tell him to keep that ball in play and start the break.
RANDOLPH: "I know. But sometimes, you gotta let ‘em know."
(MT)
+1 to Want to give us Brad Miller for Stephen Jackson and Speedy Claxton (expiring)?
Man. Id love to have Brad Miller on our squad.
Rec’d as well.
Romes Mac Mojous
by ROMESdavidWOOD37 on Nov 11, 2009 3:26 PM PST up reply actions
Everyone loves Buike
Formally known as PFortyy.
http://www.youtube.com/user/XeroEnt
Watch my Warriors vids and subscribe!
That would work even better if in his next interview
Azubuike throws in a “What it is bro!”
by IQofaWarrior on Nov 11, 2009 3:49 PM PST up reply actions
I don't speak for everyone but...
I am not that attached to Buike. He is definitely not untouchable and I see some players on the Bulls I’d be willing to part with him for. I also feel like he takes some minutes away from Morrow and wouldn’t mind trading him away to clear up some room for Anthony.
I would consider trading Buike straight up or in a package for the following Chicago players: Luol Deng (obv but unrealistic), Kirk Hinrich (like Deng, would have to be in package to match salaries), James Johnson, Brad Miller, Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas, and John Salmons.
Obviously some of the players listed above would have to be worked out in a multi-player deal. I don’t list Rose because that is just absurd. The Bulls have a lot of talent that I like and would be willing to trade Kaz to switch some parts.
Tell me what you think of my list and what type of deals you would see coming to fruition out of the players I listed.
by JimBarnett2KevinGarnett on Nov 11, 2009 3:00 PM PST reply actions
Looking at that list,
all the guys aside from Noah could be had, as his recent play along with his performance against Boston have likely put him in the untouchable bubble with Derrick Rose.
I’m gonna do you a favor and tell you a little secret: James Johnson sucks. He looks absolutely clueless when on the floor and is in terrible basketball shape. He wouldn’t last on the Warriors with that style of play. Of course, that could change, but I’m not a big fan. You guys could take him. To be fair, I’m being a bit hard on him, but he has been pretty disappointing.
I’d trade any of the non-Noah guys on that list, but I wouldn’t take a long term deal like Jackson’s in return. The Bulls need to cash in this off-season, and a long term deal like Jackson’s could squash those dreams. A Tyrus Thomas for Azubuike deal would work, but you guys may have the same exact guy in Randolph, though I’ve read that Nelson despises Randolph.
Metal sharpens metal.
And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan
I wouldn’t mind having Tyrus backing up Anthony until Wright gets back, we all know how thin we are up front. And when Wright does come back, those two could share the PF minutes and try to transition AR to small forward. I know this has been said over and over again, and I personally don’t even like the idea and think AR would be better suited at the 4, but this is a short term solution to our long term problem of being so thin up front. I’m also scared that if we do give up azubuike and eventualy trade jack, we’ll be too short at SF, cause id rather keep buike than keep maggs
WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...
by JustSomeName on Nov 11, 2009 3:24 PM PST up reply actions
no no no.
Randolph can’t play the 3. You see how clueless he is out there? That’s not going to go away by putting him at the 3. Randolph is a 4, will be a 4.
Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.
I told Randolph that Bill Russell would tell him to keep that ball in play and start the break.
RANDOLPH: "I know. But sometimes, you gotta let ‘em know."
(MT)
I think you guys should just take your chance on Rose.
Jack ain’t worth giving up that chance.
Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.
I told Randolph that Bill Russell would tell him to keep that ball in play and start the break.
RANDOLPH: "I know. But sometimes, you gotta let ‘em know."
(MT)
I also feel like he takes some minutes away from Morrow and wouldn’t mind trading him away to clear up some room for Anthony.
Why does this rationale get repeated over and over around here? If we wanted to give Morrow those minutes, we could do it, whether Buike was on the team or not. This is not a factor whatsoever, nor does it improve our team in any way. If it did improve our team, we would simply play Morrow and sit Buike. Now, if your logic is more along the lines of Buike is expendable because we have other capable wings, that’s one thing, but I’m just tired of the “free up minutes” rationale. It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
by Missing Barry on Nov 11, 2009 3:55 PM PST up reply actions
"If it did improve our team, we would simply play Morrow and sit Buike"
Not the case with Nelly. In order for people to get playing time someone literally needs to be injured until Nelly plays the right player. Right now, Mikki Moore and Corey Maggette should not be playing over Randolph and playing Randolph over them does improve our team. Problem is, Nelly is a stubborn asshat that plays the wrong people because by his gorilla math he thinks they make the team better.
by JimBarnett2KevinGarnett on Nov 11, 2009 4:26 PM PST up reply actions
3 fouls in 11 minutes suggests otherwise
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Nov 11, 2009 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
Seriously, the 2nd all-time winningest coach has no idea which players should be playing, and actually more often than not plays worse players instead of better ones. Can’t argue with that. (Heavy dose of sarcasm)
by Missing Barry on Nov 11, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions
Nelson sucks
seriously, I don’t care at all about his win totals. Watching him these last two years has made me anxious for the day when his contract is up. He’s completely wasting away our talent. Randolph should be getting 35 minutes a night and Wright has never gotten what he deserves in terms of minutes or faith. Same with Belinelli. I’m just thankful that we didn’t do the same with Morrow. I hate Nelson.
Mayyyyne
I’m not going to go as far as Pino did, but I am getting tired of the “2nd all-time winningest coach” phrase. Yes, he has won many games and is one of the greatest coaches of all time, but there comes a time and place when one needs to retire…. And Nellie’s day has come.
Lenny Wilkins was on the decline and left, so did Bob Knight, why can’t Nellie. I am very grateful for what he has done with us, but his methods aren’t working now and his Coach, but not really Coach, along with his GM, but he isn’t really the GM, antics are far past tiresome and closer sickness everytime I see his face.
GSOM- Where Education From Debate Happens
by The Dedication on Nov 11, 2009 10:38 PM PST up reply actions
eek
Coaching, but not really Coaching, combined with his GM’ing, but not really GM’ing,
GSOM- Where Education From Debate Happens
by The Dedication on Nov 11, 2009 10:39 PM PST up reply actions
I think... Nellie is lower on the scale of problems
This team has talent, but its a poorly constructed team. All its talent is more or less in the same position. I don’t think any other coach could make the warriors better. Sure if we could get Adlemen, Jackson or an ELITE level coach i’d jump but compared to 20 or so coaches in league, i take nellie.
He’s lost the locker room cause of jack. As soon as jack’s gone I think the team will be happier.
Meh, let’s get a legitimate post player, a wing who can pass then see what Nellie can do. He’s stuck with players like Maggette etc. Not his choice
I agree. We’re not going to get better without Nellie. We might do a’right with Avery Johnson, but I don’t know that he’s better. I don’t know that Smart would be better. I suspect we might be about the same with Smart. Granted, Smart will probably get along better with Monta, though. I wouldn’t be against Smart or Johnson becoming coach, but I don’t think it would help much if at all.
Welcome to the Pit of Despair! Don't even think about trying to escape.
I only agree that Wright didn’t get the minutes he deserved. Belli was nothing amazing. Randolph was too crazy, but when he settled down, he played well. Wright was benched for his issues with defensive assignments, but I don’t think that was nearly enough of an issue to bench him in favor of Maggette. Wright was WAY better at the 4 than Maggs.
Welcome to the Pit of Despair! Don't even think about trying to escape.
Belli was nothing amazing
Here you all go again. Suprisingly, a playoff team thinks of Belinelli as their starter/6th man at shooting guard but a pathetic team like ours thinks hes garbage…….shows why we aren’t good. We dont even look at the talent we have.
Monta
Morrow
Buike
Randolph
Biedrins
Thats a good lineup….
Azubuike is light years better than Morrow at everything thing except 3 point shooting, but guess what?
Buike is a top 10 3 point shooter anyway, so lets just say Morrow is alot better while disregarding his still terrible ball handling, defending, and shot creating.
Marco Belinelli's Biggest Fan
Shouldn’t you reserve the term “playoff team” for teams that actually make the playoffs…? In fact, the last time Toronto made the playoffs…we won 7 more games than them, in a much tougher conference. We don’t even necessarily think Belinelli is “garbage” as much as he is “redundant” – if we have enough players at his position that are better than him, what value does he give us by being on our roster?
by Missing Barry on Nov 12, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions
We don’t even necessarily think Belinelli is "garbage" as much as he is "redundant" –
Guess we should have kept him and be done to one healthy big now?
Standing on the moon
Where talk is cheap and vision true
Standing on the moon
But I would rather be with you
Somewhere in San Francisco
On a back porch in July
Just looking up to heaven
At this crescent in the sky
by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 12, 2009 10:38 PM PST up reply actions
Just to address everyone’s points above. Sure, he has his faults, nobody’s claiming he’s perfect. I also would like to see Wright play more when he’s healthy. I have no problem with how he’s handled Randolph – if Randolph wants to play 35 minutes a game he needs to stop fouling. At his rate, it’s simply impossible to play him that much. Not to mention the fact that he clearly is still figuring some things out. Belinelli? Really? Belinelli is a marginal player at best, if that’s one of your big qualms with Nelson, that’s on you, not him, for being completely offbase in your evaluation of Belinelli.
But seriously, if you have a real case against Nelson, let’s hear it. What would you have done differently and what changes would you expect it to make to the end result? Do you really think playing Belinelli more often would add a single win (probably not, in fact it would probably result in less wins if anything)? Remember, the context of this discussion is that we have to trade someone to open up minutes for Morrow – so you do you really think we have better options that just waste away on the bench so lesser players can play? Evidence + examples to back up your thoughts are good. I would also like speculation on what changes it would make to the end results.
by Missing Barry on Nov 12, 2009 7:31 AM PST up reply actions
i think talks about buike will probably need to wait until the jack situation gets settled. to steal a bit from JB2KG’s comment above: what are your thoughts on james johnson? if we end up keeping jackson, a guy like johnson might be the sort of target i’d look for in a buike trade. odds are, we’ll be hanging on to kelenna and his fantastic contract, but in the right deal, he’s certainly tradeable.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
You do know that his contract is not indefinite, right?
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Nov 11, 2009 3:51 PM PST up reply actions
Look up
a bit higher, he gives his opinion about JJ
GSOM- Where Education From Debate Happens
by The Dedication on Nov 11, 2009 10:40 PM PST up reply actions
+1
Or if they take Jackson and/or Maggette along with Azubuike and give us Luol Deng back
WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...
by JustSomeName on Nov 11, 2009 3:37 PM PST up reply actions
If you think Azubuike is an untouchable quality player, I don’t even know what to tell you. I like Buike, I think he’s a decent player, but there are many, many better players than him in the NBA.
by Missing Barry on Nov 11, 2009 3:56 PM PST up reply actions
As much as I love Azubuike...
that is absolutely true.
by Cpt. Jack in the Box on Nov 11, 2009 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
Buike would be given up only if we could dump a bad contract like maggette or jax
He’s one of only ‘underpaid’ guys on this roster if you will……
deng 4 Jacks + Buike? what does GSoM and Bulls Fan think?
or even more so maggette + buike 4 deng
it’d be more benefical to both sides…. you’d get a mismatch scorer off the bench. We’d dump a guy who is horribly overpaid.
Deng is a favorite of GM John Paxson's
so while I wouldn’t be all that upset if he got traded, the likelihood of him being traded instead of Hinrich is pretty low.
Metal sharpens metal.
And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan
i figured he'd want to be dumped
cause of his contract
The deal with Deng is that
if he’s healthy, his contract is not that bad, as he has an excellent mid range game and plays very solid defense. He’s a good player, so I doubt he’s in the same “contract dump” camp that Steven Jackson is in.
Metal sharpens metal.
And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan
The thing is....
Dumping deng’s long term would put you only 26.73mil of salaries entering off season. Chicago is an attractive destination, although I doubt you will get wade, you can surely get Bosh or Amare.
Without deng you are at 37.63 which is nice, but the cap is expected to be around 51-52 mil next year (NBA projections). I don’t think that’s enough space to get an elite free agent.
If the warriors could get deng in a 3 way for jackson and you getting an expiring i see it as a positive for all sides…
Deng’s contract kinda sucks cause it escalates to 14.3 which he probably isn’t worth but i like his talent and honestly, warriors don’t have room to complain
If we get an expiring deal back in return that changes everything,
but CMag and Jax are long(er) term deals.
Metal sharpens metal.
And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan
I can't imagine that the team wouldn't listen to a reasonable offer for him.
We’d all be sad to see him go, and he might even be a casualty in a cap-dump move (“okay, we’ll take Jackson if we also get ’Buike”).
I think we can trade Azubuike, seeing as we have Maggs and Morrow at the 3 once Jack goes. Apparently, Nellie likes Law at the 3, too. ha ha. Still, Azu is valuable and a lot of teams would love to have him also. If you guys made an offer to take Jackson and Azubuike off our hands and offered something decent in return, perhaps we’d move him.
Welcome to the Pit of Despair! Don't even think about trying to escape.
Azubuike is definetly available,
With you cap space next summer, I know you guys have no intrest in Jackson. But Azubike for Thomas makes sense for both parties. Azubike and Brandan Wright for Thomas and a unprotected first rounder next season ( you guys should be a playoff team anyway) would make both teams happy and better in the long run.
Thing B
by warriorsscore110 on Nov 11, 2009 10:37 PM PST reply actions
Just a question
If we trade Buike, than there is a glut of guards (Rose, Hinrich, Salmons, Buike, Jannero Pargo hehe) and with the bigs there is also a glut (Thomas, Noah, Salmons can play 3 as well, Deng, Miller, Gibson, & Johnson)…. Rose is a Star in the making, Deng is paid for til forever, and it seems as if Chicago loves the Noah-Thomas Group….
What is it that Chicago wants in 2010?
GSOM- Where Education From Debate Happens
by The Dedication on Nov 11, 2009 10:49 PM PST reply actions
Wade
He’s there no.1 target. And Thomas is supposedly on the outs over there.
Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"
Would they have enough $$$
Deng, Miller, Salmons…. O Wait, Miller’s 12 Mil Comes Off…. Never Mind…
GSOM- Where Education From Debate Happens
by The Dedication on Nov 11, 2009 11:05 PM PST up reply actions
Not Bosh or Amare?
Thought they wanted a 4 to go w/ DRose
Thomas will almost certainly be gone next year,
same goes for John Salmons, as he likely opts out and looks for a new deal(although that could change if he continues playing like garbage). Pargo sucks and if the team upgrades in any manner over the offseason he won’t be more than a garbage time player. Brad Miller is a FA after this season, so he’ll likely be gone, unless he comes back for very little money. Kirk Hinrich will likely be shopped and it’s possible he’ll be gone by the end of the year.
So of your list, I see the Bulls going into next year with Rose, Noah, Deng, Gibson and Johnson, with Hinrich a possible Bull and Pargo a tenth or eleventh man.
In terms of what the Bulls want for next year, it’s (at least) one of the big boys: Bosh, Amare, Lebron, Wade, Joe Johnson, Dirk(though I see no way Cuban lets him leave), Boozer, and David Lee.
Metal sharpens metal.
And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan
The only thing I know about how management feels about him is that they were about to let him go for Maurice Evans. Then Mo got greedy and the Warriors wound up matching the deal Azubuike signed with the Clippers. Of course, this was Chris Mullin who preferred Mo over Azubuike and not Riley/Nelson.
Riley supposedly rejected a deal for Buike/Belinelli for Raja Bell this offseason and Riley is supposedly the one who discovered Buike (as well as CJ Watson) in the d-league according to Robert Rowell (team president), so he may have a soft spot for him (them).
It looks like the Warriors are looking for size (they have no one listed above 250) preferably with a mid-range jumper. It looks like they don’t want bloated salaries because they want to avoid tax & save money (see Belinelli for Devean George + money = to George’s salary).
From what I’ve seen so far from the Bulls, I think they’d prefer Gibson and maybe Miller or Salmons if the Bulls take back Jackson or Maggette.
Will throw in Monta and Corey Maggette
for Derrick Rose
by Jeremy Belvins on Nov 13, 2009 12:07 AM PST reply actions
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