FanPost

Ellis or Curry: A more attractive trade asset?

Now I'm pretty sure I'm going to get flamed for this, but I'll just get to the point.

There are 3 types of trades in this league.

1. Trading good players with big contracts for multiple younger players with smaller contracts but higher upside.

2. Trading good players for comparably good players with similar contracts.

3. Trading younger players with small contracts and high upside for a single good player with a larger contract.

For the first type of trade, Monta would fit into that category for the player we'd be trading. I don't know what team has a good collection of young talent with upside. Moreover, since Monta has been playing so well and proving he's an All-Star talent, I don't think now is the time to trade him, especially for expiring contracts or young talent because he himself is a young talent. Curry's contract is too small to warrant this, at least for now.

For the second type of trade, there aren't many realistic trades where Golden State would get a better or similar talent in return that the opposing team would also trade their skilled player as well. I'm all up for suggestions below but I can't think of any realistic trades (Wallace for Ellis just won't do). This applies to both Curry and Ellis.

For the third type of trade, since Monta's contract is too large Curry is the only player that would fit this type of trade. Now Curry is coming off a ROY performance last year, hes understood as a PG with an amazing shooting stroke and very high upside. However, the more I see him play the more I can tell although he can pass on the run when it comes to a half-court offense hes more of a SG that makes good decisions than a PG. A PG must be able to drive consistently and be able to control the offense, but its clear that Monta is much more skilled in that regard where Curry will end up playing off the ball waiting for a kick-out. Last year I don't think Monta was good as the on the ball type of person because he didn't have any help and he was asked to ball hog. Now, he has a whole new attitude which is reflected in the game. Notice: even with Curry as the dominant ball handler, Monta still has around the same number of assists as the official "SG" than "PG".

Without dragging this on, I think Curry is definitely the more attractive trade asset and can be part of bigger deals for much better players. Monta, although very trade-able can only get us either someone of comparable talent (which means we'd be giving up him in the process) or a bunch of younger players with upside. Monta is young enough that he can still be a part of our long term future if we keep him. Him and David Lee have a lot more chemistry than him and Curry, and I think we should be trading Curry for a bonafide SG with range and defense (Afflalo is an option but we'd also have to get a lot more on top of afflalo) and a bonafide C. We could package curry, wright, and the expiring contract of gadzuric or vladrad to get a true player. You guys can do all of the trade machine stuff to try and figure out realistic trades, but I ask you all before you burn me to keep this in perspective. Who between the two is a more attractive and realistic asset?

My answer: Curry

And no I don't think they can play together. We still have a defensively limited backcourt and losing curry for a star SG or a star C can make up for the lost offense.

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!