Warrior Update - July 30th
by dangerman on Jul 30, 2009 10:41 PM PDT
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Over the past 2 weeks, there has been plenty of NBA activity: trades, free agent signings, players moving around the league. And while the rich have gotten richer (the most improved teams are the perennially deep-into-the-playoffs teams), the league has divided into "haves and have-nots"and our beloved Ws have been watching from the sidelines.
But not to worry, the team website counters. They say, and I kid you not, as I quote verbatim: "It may be July, but the Warriors have been plenty busy...from the 2009 NBA draft... [Drum roll, please - its worth waiting for this one] to Warrior Girl Tryouts, the organization has experienced a bevy of activity."
No, please, pick yourself off the floor, stop laughing and catch your breath.
I say this because our beloved front office crew proved yesterday they are after more than a better dance routine. While they sat idly while Vince Carter, Shawn Marion, Hedo Turkoglu, Shaq, Tyson Chandler, Andre Miller, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Richard Jefferson, Sheed, Antonio McDyess, Brandon Bass, Mike Miller, Trevor Ariza, Ron Artest, Channing Frye all found new homes, the Ws showed they mean business on Wednesday. They made a trade.
They acquired Toronto's hotly pursued Devean George. And all they had to give up was Marco Belinelli, the 18th overall '07 pick. And here comes the really good news: Toronto is picking up most of George's $1.6mm salary next year.
Why, you might ask, is that really good news? Well, lets assume you own an NBA team in the Bay Area. And lets assume that you have well documented and publicly known IRS problems and personal cash flow issues. And lets say that there was a salary cap and luxury tax system in place where, if your NBA team is below the cap, you get your pro rata cash distribution of other owners' luxury tax payments. Hmmm...
So you dump a player making $10mm a year for a couple of players who wont be on the team much longer. Really helpful. But you could use a little more. So you speak to the coach and your buddy, the team president, and ask: how can we trim the payroll more without scaring away the fans?
Well, you are told, we have a logjam at the 2 guard position, 6 guys who will fight for minutes - Jax, Morrow, Monta, Curry, Azebuke, Belinelli. Marco wont see a lot of playing time - he's not in the coach's fave 5. We can dump him and save a couple of scheckles. Lets find sometime who will take him and also eat the salary of the player we get in return.
Viola! Its done.
Never mind 2 years ago we were very high on our first round pick. Terrific shooter, can drive to the hoop, slick passer, great NBA potential, a vital piece of our future.
And we get to cement our position among the "have-nots." All so easy.
Are we, the fans, disappointed? Well, the team still has alot of potential - Randolph is developing into a legit NBA star. Morrow is proving he belongs, can stretch the floor and perhaps lead the league in 3s shooting again. Monta and Jax are healthy. Curry might contribute, despite shooting 38% in the Vegas league against wannabes. And maybe this is the year Brandon Wright shows he is an NBA player deserving of 30+ minutes/game.
And, I believe the trading isnt done. Here is a prediction: In late August, when Speedy Claxton is available to be moved, The Ws trade for Carlos Boozer.
Whoa, you say. Wait just a cotton picking minute. This might make the team better. And Boozer is highly paid. How does that jive with the salary dumping, penny pinching Ws ownership? Its a short term / long term thing. Here's the deal:
They give up Claxton, Andre Biedrins, maybe Brandon Wright, maybe a #1 pick.
Looks exciting. Is it good? For the Jazz, its terrific. They get rid of someone who is leaving in a year, carries a huge salary and already has a very promising replacement. In return, the Jazz get a legit low post center who is quick, can move, score and rebound, and fits well in their motion offense. He is signed long term. Maybe their missing piece to make a serious run at the championship.
The Ws? They get Boozer. A terrific player, no doubt, even if he is sometimes accused of not playing defense (and who on the Ws roster isnt in that boat?). But he is on loan for 1 year, and that's the beauty for the ownership - Boozer's $13mm salary comes off the books after this season, and the Ws ownership get out from under Biedrin's 5 year, $50mm contract.
The Ws lose their only legit center and leading rebounder on a team starved for rebounding.
And, us? The fans? Tantalized for one more season of almost making the playoffs. Just a thought....
Until next time....
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 say this because our beloved front office crew proved yesterday they are after more than a better dance routine. While they sat idly while Vince Carter, Shawn Marion, Hedo Turkoglu, Shaq, Tyson Chandler, Andre Miller, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Richard Jefferson, Sheed, Antonio McDyess, Brandon Bass, Mike Miller, Trevor Ariza, Ron Artest, Channing Frye all found new homes, the Ws showed they mean business on Wednesday. They made a trade.
You make it sound like it’s a bad thing that the Warriors didn’t acquire any of these players. I mean seriously? Channing Frye?
First of all, most of these players wouldn’t have signed with the Warriors anyway. Either the W’s didn’t have enough salary cap space, or the players would rather sign with another team for the MLE.
Also, I find your particular brand of sarcasm highly annoying. The Belinelli trade wasn’t meant to be a bold stroke to improve the team, not by a longshot. It was the basketball equivalent of shuffling papers on a desk.
HOW DARE YOU, RILEY! HOW DARE YOU SHUFFLE PAPERS!
Finally, your proposed deal for Boozer fails on numerous levels. The Warriors would be giving way too much salary to make the deal work under the CBA, and the Jazz are not interested in another long-term contract; their goal is to get out from the under the tax.
Thing C
by markdash on Jul 30, 2009 11:03 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I'm sure he was just being inclusive, even though Frye isn't exactly a sexy pick-up!
Geeez Louf*ckingweeez!!!
by scottiepimppen on Jul 31, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Does anyone actually think Channing Frye is better than BW who we already have?
by crab dribble cocktail on Aug 1, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope not. It’s really not even close. Wright, for all his faults, is a much, much better player.
by jae on Aug 1, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions
on the contrary, I find your particular brand of sarcasm highly valuable.
I don’t agree with all your conclusions, but your writing is like a breath of fresh air among the group-speak that has begun to seep into this site. Do write more, provoke responses that require people to think for themselves rather than wait for the resident expert(s?) to chime in and validate what is thought or accepted as doctrine. What you’re doing is healthy for this site. There’s nothing wrong with some entertaining sarcasm thoughtfully crafted. bravo!
Touche. Another fanpost decrying how the Belinelli trade has cemented the Warriors’ reputation as laughingstock of the NBA/driven away countless season ticket holders. How completely original.
Thing C
I seriously doubt that any little fanpost could have as much impact on the NBA’s perspective of our once-a-generation-playoff-team as our own ineptitude, nor is it likely to truly impact STH decisions.
you might be surprised at the impact and respect shown of your own comment, pointed and well argued as it is.
We Would NEVER include Beidrins in a trade for Boozer, that would be the ultimate in bad deals.
by nocal81(Vincent) on Jul 30, 2009 11:50 PM PDT reply actions
NEVER?
Pretty long time! They wouldn’t include Biedrins for Boozer, but they would for Stoudemire? What’s the difference? Either one could be a one year rental, and both are low post scorers! Boozer rebounds way better than Stoudemire, maybe making up for some of the rebounding we’d lose not having Biedrins. They’ve both had their bumps and bruises over the years!
Anyway, just think you’re seriously underestimating what the Warriors defunct Organization is capable of, as well as not finding one significant difference in either player that would prevent them from including Biedrins in a trade.
Geeez Louf*ckingweeez!!!
by scottiepimppen on Jul 31, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Stoudemire can play center, for one thing. Boozer could never play center. He also couldn’t run with our squad the way Stoudemire could have. Boozer is not a run n’ gun style guy.
by Naticus on Aug 2, 2009 1:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Riley Should Try To Get Ryan Hollins
Hey Guys,
Forget all of these over the hill big name players! Brand did nothing for the 76ers, so what makes anyone think he will be any good for us?
Boozer is too slow, and too thick!
Ryan Hollins is a RFA. The Mavs can match any offer, but that might not happen. He is young, got quite a bit of PT last year, and would fit the need for another big.
If that doesn’t work, send Law to the D League; and do something with George and Speedy.
I sincerely hope that Nellie does not pull another Chris Webber/Troy Hudson/Kruz this year!
only fan post
that i read from beginning to end…good work.
the audacity of this perpetually lottery bound franchise to stand pat when everyone from top to bottom has improved. A 20 something win team resting on its laurels..PWEHHHH!
disgusting (nakakasuka!)
we get the government/franchise we deserve…..
my code name is "kelenna bahongpuki"
by VonteegoCummings on Jul 31, 2009 1:00 AM PDT reply actions
You made me laugh
This is the first post in a while that I actually wanted to read until the end. Definitely did not agree with all of the things you said (the Boozer trade is ridiculous) but I praise you for being different.
If we're going to propose crazy Boozer trades...
Boozer doesn’t want to come here, would require playing time, wouldn’t fit the offense all that well, and above all, it’s really hard to create a trade that you can make a good argument for (ie. doesn’t require us giving away someone it would be supremely stupid to give away.)
I got to thinking: Boozer wants to go to Miami. Miami might want Boozer but doesn’t have a whole lot to offer for him. Utah wants immediate salary relief and reasonable future cap flexibility. Miami wants to be able to sign a big name or three next year. The warriors want backup beef and future cap space/flexibility. Some of us have suggested that maybe the team plays better when Jackson and Magette are not on the floor, convinced they need to do everything. Perhaps even suggesting that Jack or Mags should be traded.
Thinking can be dangerous.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=nkrm6j
Azu & BW are substitutes for Speedy Claxton, who isn’t available to trade until Aug 25th.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=kmgk34
Turiaf is just a substitute for Claxton. The Warriors or Jazz can take back a small salary from the Heat to round it out if necessary.
Warriors: Out – Jackson, Magette, Claxton
In – O’Niel, Brewer
Pros – Get (expensive) backup beef, replacement promising 2/3 with defensive ability, and lots of future cap room.
Cons – Jackson is a Nelson, front office, and fan favorite and the personality of team. The team would get MUCH younger; relying on Beidrins, Turiaf, Ellis, & the Anthonys to lead. That’s a lot of trust to put in young players. Big risk, but could be big reward. I don’t think Nelson likes it and I’d bet, if I were a betting man, that at least one person will call me stupid or crazy for even suggesting it. However, I think it could be just the thing to fix the salary situation and give the young guys a chance to blossom.
Jazz: Out – Boozer, Kirilenko, Brewer
In – Jackson, Magette, Haslem
Pros – 8 million dollars off the books right now, veteren upgrade at 2/3 & sixth man, potentially good backup 4. Team is in much better shape financially and could be a monster in the west if Jackson and Magette fit in well.
Cons – Are Jackson, Magette, and Haslem Jerry Sloan type players?
Heat: Out – O’Neil, Haslem
In – Boozer, Kirilenko, Claxton
Pros – Get Boozer and his Bird rights, immediate upgrade at 3/4 paired with Beasley in Kirilenko
Cons – Kirilenko’s contract. But if Heat have Wade & Boozer’s Bird rights already, then they can do one big signing and probably contend for the title. Also, who plays center? Boozer?
I like it but,
why in the world would the Jazz get rid of Booz, AK47, and Brewer for Jax, Maggs, and Haslem. That makes them a worse team and ties up their cap room in the future.
Thing B
by warriorsscore110 on Jul 31, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Mostly a money move for Jazz, but...
I was thinking of this as mostly a money move for the Jazz, who et out from under a whole lot of money owed to Boozer and Kirilenko, but I actually consider Jax/Mags an upgrade over Brewer/Kirilenko (at this point in his career.) I may be undervaluing Brewer though.
In addition to the money problem, the Jazz had problem with injuries and toughness (at least in the playoffs against the Lakers) last year, with, in my opinion, SG/SF being their weakest spots. This gives them the option of putting:
PG: Williams
SG: Jackson
SF: Magette
PF: Millsap
C: Okur
…which is a five that is a threat to score at any spot and can out muscle or out run most of the teams they would play against. (The place they are not as strong: backup PF, but I think they’ve got sufficient personnel to deal with that.) I think the deal is a definite win for the Jazz and has the potential to make them contenders (more so than they have been even) for the next 3-4 years.
Stephen Jackson in Utah!
HAHAHA that would not bode well.
"We Deserve"
Stephen Jackson in Utah!
Haha, I love Jax but I’d consider trading him to Utah just to go see the fan reaction?
" I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea
Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me
I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand."
by Skeptic con Urquell on Aug 1, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh... and the Jazz have Okur for three more years
The Jazz have Okur for three more years at about the same salary as Bedriens along with a couple of young centers they seem to like fairly well. Okur has been very productive in SLC and fits their system well. I don’t think Beans is particularly enticing to them. With Kirilenko’s decline and Brewer/Miles being a bit young, where they are a bit weak is SG and SF. We happen to have some of those…
I'm not sure I appreciate the sarcasm
Maybe as a stylistic change of pace, but I think you’re pretty off on your analysis.
1. None of those big free agents would come to the Warriors and we couldn’t afford them anyway, so why even make that your leading point?
2. We dumped Crawford for much needed cap relief. and we already have Crawford in the form of Ellis, Morrow, Curry, etc. etc. etc.
3. We were high on Belinelli 2 YEARS AGO. That’s an eternity in the NBA. Plus, when we drafted him we didn’t anticipate that we’d happen upon a player like Curry this year.
4. Then you propose a trade in which we send way too much salary and our only good center (Turiaf isn’t that good everybody!!) to the Jazz for a guy who will walk next year for the big bucks, no question.
5. So, until next time….
Plus, when we drafted him we didn’t anticipate that we’d happen upon a player like Curry this year.
What do you know about Curry…..he hasn’t played an NBA game and he played pretty poorly in summer league.
What suggests to you that we should replace Marco for him besides your homerism to a far left or right extreme….
Marco Belinelli's Biggest Fan
How’d you leave off the ridiculous sentence before that?
“2 YEARS AGO. That’s an eternity in the NBA.”
2 years is not an eternity, and anyone that thinks it is would do a very poor job managing an NBA team. True, we may have realized since we drafted Marco that he won’t be what we were hoping…but 2 years just isn’t that long…
by Missing Barry on Aug 5, 2009 7:04 AM PDT up reply actions
speaking of warrior update
what has the other guys on our team been up to? Monta, Jacks, Buike, Beans? I haven’t heard too much stuff on these guys…
anybody know what they’ve been doing all summer?
I heard he said
he always wanted to try bull riding?
" I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea
Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me
I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand."
by Skeptic con Urquell on Aug 1, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
i heard he wants to bunji-jump
and he’ll probably let his little sister tie on his cords?
" I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea
Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me
I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand."
by Skeptic con Urquell on Aug 2, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't understand
why everyone says “get out of Biedrins’ contract” like it’s a wonderful thing. we were all happy that we resigned Beans, he had the best season of his career last year, and now we want out of his contract??
This isn’t the Santa Cruz boardwalk….we can’t trade in Biedrins’ $50 mil for more tickets towards the giant pink teddy bear.
We’re not going to sign LeBron James or Dwyane Wade next year, so why are we trying to rid ourselves of our second best player… just for kicks? One of the best rebounders and highest-percentage scorers in the league?
Biedrins’ contract is NOT THAT BAD. It’s not the return of Dunmurphy. It is a very respectable price for a starting C that is top-6 in the conference. I mean for goodness sake, Marcin Gortat is getting paid $7 million a year to play 10 minutes a night!
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