FanPost

Speculations...




It's the hardcore basketball fans favorite time of year again. We got the Finals going on, the Draft coming up, and free agency rumors and speculations. As a diehard Warriors fan I don't care too much about the Finals, not quite as into the Draft as I normally would be (not having any picks will do that), but at least free agency will be interesting. I could take or leave Dwight Howard, but I expect Lacob will do everything in his power to bring him to the Bay for years to come. He coveted him more than any other player before, and I don't expect his opinion of him has changed much despite the horrid season we all witnessed. How we end up with him is all speculation as well, but I think we will see him in a Warriors uniform next season. Lacob is smart, and will sell him on jumping aboard our promising ship to the finals next season. Plus there are a ton of endorsements he can get in our neck of the woods, the Silicon Valley will have many lined up for him.

I'm a fan of all our current players, but like many of you, always try to think of ways we can change our roster around to improve. Many people here are for trading David Lee while his salary increases year by year, and his stock being higher after coming off his 2nd, and more deserving, All Star year. I'm down for that, pending the player we end getting. He's a great player, but we proved that we don't need him as much as we thought.

One thing I want to see though: Keep Curry, Thompson , and Barnes together for a long time. If we have to trade either Thompson or Barnes in order to get D12, I will be very bummed, but I would rather have Barnes than Thompson. We all wouldn't mind seeing Curry matched up with a defensive minded 2 guard (Tony Allen?), and Barnes is just going to be way too good to give up to the Lakers.

So assuming we trade Lee and Thompson for Howard in a sign and trade, what do we do with Bogut? Or do we end up trading Bogut and Thompson? If either scenario happens, I would like to see us trade the other big man to get into the Lottery. There are a lot of intriguing players, but only 2 players that I feel can help make our team getbetter if we can get in this Lottery. But before I mention the names, and possibly get laughed at, which teams would actually make this happen? The only teams that can use a Lee or Bogut are Portland, Charlotte, Orlando, or maybe the Pelicans.

Who in the Draft Lottery is worth going after? My first choice has got to be Cody Zeller. He's going to be a very good player on the next level and would be a nice addition to our squad. He's a legit 7 footer with a lot of game, and he can play the 4 or 5. Surprisingly athletic for his size too, and not a weak, lanky big man like some people might think. He's got a nice shooting touch from anywhere inside the arc, and has a great post up game too. One important thing, he's a smart player which goes a long ways at the next level, especially mixed with all that talent. Those are the types of players who keep getting better.

The other guy in lottery that would be a nice addition to our squad is C.J. McCollum (that is if we don't resign Jarrett Jack of course). I don't like to compare players to other players, but I will say that he can end up being the Damian Lillard of this draft, but Lillard is purely a scoring point guard. This guy is a big 6'3" combo guard with a lot of athleticism and can score in a lot of ways. Versatile guy to come off the bench, or even start at the 2 guard. Nice insurance plan for Curry's ankles too.

Last few notes before I get chastised on here. Here's some things to expect: 1) As much as Landry loves it here, and doesn't care all too much about the money, he will be offered a nice contract by another team that he won't turn down. 2) The Brandon Rush comeback. The only thing good that came out of his injury was more minutes for Barnes, Green, and even Bazemore, who all emerged into legit pros after only a rookie season. Otherwise, Rush might have been the difference between getting further in the playoffs and losing to the eventual champs (screw the Heat, Spurs will take home one last trophy). 3) The guaranteed improvement from Festus. We all know how new to the game he is, and I can't wait for him to be an even bigger difference maker next season (he did do a pretty damn good job when Bogut was out). 4) CAN WE SOMEHOW GET RID OF EITHER jEFFERSON OR BIEDRINS?!! I'm sure one will get traded by the deadline next season, but the sooner the better. 5) Go Warriors!! (Go A's too!)

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!