Can Sund or Mario provide relief?

by hardcore on Jul 29, 2006 9:50 AM PDT

The sale of the Seattle Sonics opens the possibility of Rick Sund becoming available as a head of operations/GM elsewhere. If GSW GM Chris Mullin can't pull the trigger to unload his own bad contracts is there any reason to keep him on? Whether due to the loyalty to "his" players or the contracts now creating an albatros on the franchise, no changes doom the team to a repeat (or worse) of last year. Younger players may improve but that is unlikely to get GS to the playoffs. From now until training camp opens there remains a time frame for trades since newly acquired players become available as their trade restrictions slip away. In the case of GS that means the Utah players from the Fisher trade (and more significantly their contracts) come into play. This could be the silver lining in having to unload Fisher's contract, at least it was done early enough to use their contracts. Would hiring a new GM now make sense? Probably not. It would take time for a new GM to assess the roster, making trades before training camp unlikely. But after the season opens to December would be the perfect time for a new GM to assess the roster and search the league for talent with the goal of using the mid-season trading deadline to pull the trigger.

Similarly, if Mully can't change the roster would he have the courage to elevate Mario Elie as coach? Or even take over himself? Usually firing the head coach they hired is the second to last move a GM makes (the last is packing their own office). But short of a roster change (and we do not mean a Knick-style $30m offer to Jared Jeffries), this may well be the last option Mully has to improve the situation.

What other GM/Coaching prospects are attractive? Brown spurned them previously and there is little reason to think he wouldn't again. Who does that leave that could have a chance to spark some life into this franchise?

Nomination season has begun, submissions welcome.

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!

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

GSW GM Bligh and the Albatross

I think Doug Collins should get a call. He is an experienced professional, and there is no player likely to intimidate him after working with MJ.

I'd also like to see Rick Barry get a shot. He would definately be action-oriented, and he is also highly unlikely to be intimidated by any players. I'd enjoy imagining the private conversations between Rick and BD and Rick and Troy about effort on the court.

I'd be very skeptical of Mario Ellis. He is a very unknown factor as a totally inexperienced head coach. Why should the GSW take a chance at this point?

However, if Chris Mullin stays, how much could any coach improve the situation with the albatross contracts Chris signed BD, AF, MD and TM to?

by pineriver on Jul 31, 2006 9:05 AM PDT reply actions

Special K?

Mario is the cheap not-Montgomery option and not another college coach trying to make it (or retire) in the nba ... I like your Doug Collins idea but curious why he hasn't he gotten another shot since MJ?

I was hoping somebody would take the bait and suggest Coach K - look at what rave reviews he got from the NBA players he's working with this summer ...

by hardcore on Jul 31, 2006 9:19 AM PDT reply actions