Grading Warriors Off-Season:  The 2009 Edition

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Last off-season I took a look at the moves the Warriors made and graded Mullin on each individual transaction and gave him an overall grade for the season. Little did we know that that would be the last off-season that Mullin would preside over in Oakland as he was replaced by Larry Riley. Not only has the decision marker changed but the circumstances the Warriors find themselves under this off-season could not be any different. Last year the Warriors were under the cap and had numerous players up for extensions. This off-season the Warriors are nearing the luxury tax with $60 million committed to 13 players. Unlike last season where the circumstances gave Mullin more flexibility and ability to impact the roster, Riley finds himself trying to improve the team with one arm tied behind his back. So with the proper perspective let's get on the way of reviewing the off-season.

I made some revisions from last year format and I will evaluate the Warriors draft pick and I will also add my expectations for this season and how it could lower and improve the grade through out the season as I will do mid- and end of season reviews like last year.

1. Trade Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton

Larry Riley's first move as GM was certainly a solid move for both the Dubs and Crawford himself who was a class act in Oakland. Gone will be the ankle breaking crossovers, 4 point plays, streaky shooting, soft as Charmin finishes, and matador defense and in comes a lottery bust at PG and an oft-injured PG we got rid of already. So while the Hawks got the best player by far in the deal, this trade is a positive for the Warriors due to our depth at the position (Jackson is Crawford minus the handles but plus defense and Ellis is a much more dynamic and efficient scorer than Crawford) and the financial flexibility/potential trade chips it brings in the expiring deals of Speedy and Acie Law (if the team option isn't picked up- shouldn't be) which sum to about 7.4 million.

People may think we could have held out for more but please find me a player who has a 10 million dollar contract, is up for trade, and would actually IMPROVE the Warriors? If that player existed I doubt they would be on the trading block to begin with. To make matters worse the other team has to actually WANT Crawford and be willing to pay him roughly 20 million for 2 years. Yep.

Grade: B 

Expectations- Speedy and Acie Law are fighting for 12th man spot or enjoying courtside seats in suits. The Warriors let the cash come off the books at the end of the year thus keeping this from being an "A" grade.

Improves - This grade could improve over the course of the season if the expiring deals are actually traded for an impact player/draft pick AND/OR the slim as Brandan Wright chance that Acie Law becomes a legitimate starter. I'd be willing to take wagers against both.

Declines - We're talking about Nellie so if he ever trots out a line up of Acie Law, Speedy Claxton, CJ Watson, Monta Ellis, and Stephen Jackson against an NBA team someone please shoot me and put me out of my misery. The only way this lineup could ever win a game is if they joined the Philippine Basketball Association.

2. Drafting of Stephen Curry

Last year I got a lot of comments regarding the exclusion of the Warrior draft picks so this year I'll add my take of the Curry selection. I watch practically zero college basketball until March Madness comes around so this isn't a direct player evaluation (plus it would be foolish to give out grades before rookies have even played a NBA game). Rather, this grade is an evaluation of the decision making that Riley employed.

Leading up to the draft the Warriors were linked most often to Curry and Jordan Hill. The Warriors draft spot at 7 matched up to where Curry and Hill were generally ranked overall, meaning the Warriors didn't overvalue these two young players. After years of drafts where the Warriors reached for Foyle, Diogu, POB, and the like, just the fact that the Riley targeted the 7th best player at the 7th spot earns Riley a C even if he had chosen Hill. However, the Warriors choice of Curry makes this an even better selection. I am a firm believer in drafting the Best Player Available over need and the selection of Curry over Hill made it clear that Riley selected who he felt was the BPA.

Why do I think the Dubs went with BPA? 1) With Monta Ellis already having the role of SG in a PG body and the plethora of wingmen, the last thing the Warriors needed was to draft another combo guard. 2) Curry was selected despite the rumored negative repercussions on Monta Ellis and his ego. You don't possibly alienate your highest paid player to draft a "need." You only do that if you are confident he was the BPA. 3) The Warriors did not want to include Curry in an Amare deal. Again, you don't hang onto a "need" when you could acquire an All*Star big man. 

Grade: B+ - Curry has the ability, pedigree, and college resume to justify his draft slot. If the Warriors truly felt they got the 2nd best player in the draft as I've read, then Curry is an absolute steal and the Warriors worked/read the draft masterfully or they figured that David Kahn is an idiot.

Improves/Declines- Riley made the correct decision during the draft so now the rest is up to Curry, Nelson, and the play of the rookies drafted behind Curry. Only reason the Dubs didn't get an "A" is because I would have loved to get Ricky Rubio instead.

3. Potential Amare Deal

Last year I discussed the MAX offers made to Brand and Agent Zero after BD opted out of his contract so discussing the near Amare deal has its place. When Warrior fans first saw the ESPN blurb regarding the Warriors acquiring Amare for Biedrins, Wright, Belinelli, and the 7th pick in the draft some were jumping for joy and others were afraid that the Warriors were giving up to much to get a injury prone and questionable player. You can count me in the group that was praying for this deal to go down if the 7th pick was excluded.

When he is healthy and motivated Amare is the most dominant offensive big man in the game. Despite his offensive dominance the reason he's up for trade is because of character concerns and an intimidating injury history. For an above average center, a PF with PG's mass, and one of the 1 billion wingmen on the team I'd take a chance on Amare's brilliance to fill the superstar void that BD created. Superstar players are hard to come by and when your team is lacking one you need to pursue it aggressively.   

Grade: "A" for effort

Expectations - Expect the talks for Amare to heat up again by the trade deadline when the Warriors are battling for playoff positioning and have seen what Curry has to offer them.

Improves - If the deal can get done without adding more then Biedrins, Wright, and filler (Speedy, Law, George) then the Warriors would be etching their name into the playoff bracket.

Declines - If the Warriors trade for Amare and give up more then the offer on draft night we maybe gutting our team for a temporary band-aid.

4. Waive Jamero Davidson

He sucked. ‘Nuff said.

Grade: NC - No Credit... he sucked.

Expectations - You really had expectations for Davidson? Seriously? GTFO!

5. Trade Marco Belinelli for Devean George + Cash considerations

This is a trade that I felt the Warriors got the raw end of the deal and signaled the different circumstances that Riley is under as a GM. While Marco likely would not have made the rotation, I would rather have Marco over George to hold the 12th man role as he offers: ball handling, play making ability, defense, and shooting ability. He was not consistent but again when you're talking about a 12th man I'd rather have a streaky player with the chance to exploded for 20 points off the bench over a consistently below average NBA player. 

The only reason this deal gets a passable grade is because Marco would be behind Monta, Jackson, Morrow, Magette, Azubukie, and eventually Curry on the depth chart. He would barely get any playing time and in a contract year that could be a distraction to the team a la Pietrus, 2 years before.

However, don't overlook the fact that this trade was mainly done to save Cohan some scrilla.

Grade: C

Expectations: George is a non-factor on the team despite what Riley says and the Warriors lets his contract expire next season. A win for Cohan.

Improves - If George can be utilized in a trade that brings a useful player to the team.

Declines - If George gets significant rotation minutes. He's past his prime and is on a 1 year deal. Azubukie last year was better than George at his peak and George is far from his peak. If George is in the rotation that means either we suck, Nellie is crazy, or both.

6. CJ Watson -Accepts 1 year qualifying offer

While CJ Watson has yet to officially sign once the Magic signed Asian Hater White Chocolate any hopes of the Warriors getting something for Watson disappeared with the wave of a wand. So this brings the CJ scenario to 2 possible endings: (1) he signs the 1 year tender and walks away next year with nothing to show for the NBDL call up (2) he signs the rumored 3 yr/4.5 million dollar deal and becomes a decently bench player.

Honestly, neither of these scenarios really excites me. If he walks away next year for nothing we would have missed out on the 2nd rounder and/or trade exception the Magic was offering. It's not much but it's still better then NOTHING and avoids having a disgruntled employee (I mean that's the ONLY reason they trade Marco right?). If he signs a multi-year contract he may replace Maggette as my least favorite Warrior due to Nelson's love for subbing CJ in for a big man during the closing stretch and then proceeding to watch the other team win on 2nd chance points. It's not a knock on CJ but I'd rather we limit Nellie's options.

No matter how the Warriors flubbed this deal we're still talking about a rotation player for just barely above the league minimum.

**REVISED THOUGHTS**

The Warriors tried to play hardball again with the Magic and CJ Watson and comes back to bite them in the butt. We missed out on an opportunity to add a 1st or 2nd (depending on what rumor you want to believe) and a trade exception just so we can have CJ Watson around for 1 more year. Players in contract years often tend to play harder, but for most players that means trying harder to score more points. That's fine and dandy when it's your superstar player (to an extent) but when it's a bench player you never want them forcing the action. Adding another unhappy player to Ellis and Jackson will do wonders for team morale as well!

Grade: Revised - F

Revised Expectations: Watson... if you thought he was a scoring PG last season wait until you see the 2009-10 CJ Watson. He'll be gunning or driving every chance he gets.

Revised moves: Hard to think of any scenario this improves. No way will a team give up any draft pick for a 1 year rental with a no trade clause.

Revised Declines: Anytime CJ is in the game.

Expectations: CJ Watson signs the 3 year deal for financial security and is a good solider biding his time until he can escape from the Bay. He's solid and would be a welcome holdover if anyone but Nelson was the head coach. He'll get some minutes here and there but the emergence of Randolph and Curry/Morrow should limit his PT.

Improves: If there is a team out there that would rather have Watson over Iverson or Ramon Sessions and works a sign and trade. CJ WATSON FTW!

Declines: Each time Watson is subbed in for a big man to close the game I'd hate him more and more.

7) Signing Mikki Moore

Is this the beef? Moore is what the recently departed Davidson will be if he sticks around the league. For the veteran minimum you're getting a high energy, high percentage shooting (decent mid range jump shot), and good FT% big man. You won't get many rebounds, blocked shots, or lock down defense but at least he plays with tons of effort. A quick look at the current FA big men available sadly shows that Moore is probably the best one left. Some "notable" big men FA out there are: Juwan Howard, Brian Skinner, Stromile Swift, Melvin Ely, Jason Collins. Howard is older and shorter then Moore while offering much of the same. I wouldn't mind actually Skinner because he is good rebounder, shot blocker, and provides the beef but his offensive game worse then Moore, which is pretty bad. Swift and Ely are athletic bigs who never fufilled their potential and never will and when you sign a Collins that is just desperation. 

Grade: C+

Expectations: Moore is tethered to the bench and only plays when Biedrins, Turiaf, and Randolph are all in foul trouble or when Nelson is in search of a spark. We'll also here Fitz talk about Moore's snakes every time Moore enters the game. The Warriors need a big man on the bench and Moore is a solid option.

Improves: I don't see any reason this grade will improve unless Moore provides some type of timely game winning plays. However, if he's in the position to make those plays that means bad things for the Warriors.

Declines: Moore is solid but if he regular rotation minutes he'd be an epic fail. Biedrins, Turiaf, Randolph, and Wright should get PT over the vet.

Overall Off-Season Grade: C

This off-season was not about improving the basketball team, but rather improving the accounting books. Luckily for the Warriors the moves they have made this off-season has added more financial flexibility to the roster for expendable parts. If the new found financial flexibility will actually be utilized is a different story, but at least we have more options then before.

This brings us back to Larry Riley and the circumstances he is under. People may want to discredit Riley or bash Riley for his lack of moves, but with the global economic realities not every team can go into the luxury tax nor is it necessary to go into the luxury tax to become a winner. Luckily for Riley, the Warriors have some amazing young talent and barring a deal for Amare or Bosh, they would have been hard pressed to find outside help that would be more significant than standing pat and seeing the improvement from Randolph and Morrow in their 2nd years and Monta's true return from injury. Sometimes the best course of action is no action especially when Plan A (Amare Deal) fall through.

Even though Riley was less active compared to last season, it is apparent to me that Riley is a competent GM and not just a Nellie puppet. He has the ability to move unwanted contracts, takes measured aggressiveness in regards to trading for a superstar, and he drafts talent over need. These are all solid qualities for a GM and if he can properly evaluate and mesh talent then we may have found the architect to bring us an NBA Championship.

So how would you grade the Warriors off-season?