Rumor: Warriors Would Move JRich If They Could

by Atma Brother ONE on Feb 15, 2007 8:30 PM PST in Rumors Comment 33 comments

Here's a little bit about the Warriors from Chad Ford's chat on ESPN.com today:

Joe (Davis): Chad, will the Warriors get into the trade mix at all? They could put together a really enticing package around Monta Ellis. Would J-Rich and Ellis and a pick be enough for Pau?

Chad Ford: I think they pulled off their big deal. I think if Jason Richardson could be moved they'd do it. But, I don't see it happening.

Now before everyone goes nuts about the thought of trading Warriors Nation fav Jay Richie Rich (but rightfully so, of course!), there's the very real possibility the Warriors might be looking to move him more than we'd all like to believe. Here's some things to think about:

The Warriors have a glut of guys who are in the same 2/ 3 mold with Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes, Kelenna Azubuike, Mickael Pietrus, and Jason Richardson. Throw in Monta Ellis who's at his best as a scorer, not a distributor and it's going to be a nightmare for Nellie to try to find minutes for all these guys. There's no question that Jason is the best player out of all these guys, but minutes are still going to an issue.
In case you haven't noticed the Warriors lack big men like former Warrior Tim Hardaway lacks common sense during radio interviews. They need another 4 or 5 and Jason is the most attractive commodity the Warriors have in a trade involving big money.
When Nellie first came to the Warriors he talked about all the veterans on the roster very publicly. Nellie had plenty to say about Baron Davis, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Adonal Foyle, an Mickael Pietrus. But for some reason he didn't say much about JRich aside from that JR needed to hit his free throws at a higher rate. It was strange. I assumed Nellie just thought Jason was going to give his all and was self-motivated enough to work on the holes in his game, but maybe there's something more to this. Maybe Nellie isn't a fan of JRich's game or thinks he's expendable.
Since coming into the league as a very raw player who could mostly just dunk, Jason Richardson has worked hard on his game and improved it by leaps and bounds. However, aside from his good 3pt shoot much of his game heavily relies on his uber-athleticism and crazy hops. If JRich doesn't make a full recovery from his knee surgery, he might never be the same player that was a joy to watch last year. Think Penny Hardaway after the knee injuries.
Shooting guard is the easiest position to replace in the NBA.

How untradeable do you think Jason Richardson is in the eyes on Chris Mullin, Rod Higgins, and Don Nelson?

99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!

Also check out GSoM friend Tim Kawakami's blog post No more big Warrior moves this season… unless it’s Pietrus

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Comments

Hmmmm...

I wouldn't trade Richardson before I trade Air France, Barnes and Jax. I really think that their best lineup next year will be Baron, Richardson, Jax, Harrinton, and Beans with Monta becoming the instant 6th man of the year. Barnes is probably gonna bounce for a bigger contract (can't blame him) and Air France will only be flying around the Bay at a low-ball price.... so that leaves Kabuki to join Monta off the bench along with Project O'Bryant, Foyle, and new players to be determined next season. We can't jepordize that line-up... PLEASE NO TRADES!

by mightymadskillz on Feb 15, 2007 9:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

hm.

that team isnt better than dallas, phoenix, spurs, jazz, rockets, lakers, nuggets, new orleans and wont be better than the grizzlies IF the grizzlies stand pat and pair durant/oden w/ gasol. and if minnesota were to get a free agent signing like rashard lewis (eto), vc, or gerald wallace, that team isnt better than them either.

by the evil monkey on Feb 15, 2007 10:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jason, i think you said it best

This team is still in drastic need for a big man. We need to do whatever it takes to get a Gasol or KG type player, because in the League you can't win the big prize w/o one. The only exception in the recent past has been MJ's bulls, but other than that, you can't name an NBA champion w/o naming their center along with them.

So, while I do love J-Rich and admire his work ethic, I love winning much more. Don't get me wrong: I do not want to see a sideways trade involving j-rich that gets us nowhere. But if even the slightest opportunity exists to acquire a marquee big man, it is Mullin's duty to explore this. Ultimately the only two players we should be concerned about losing are Monta Ellis and Andris Biendris. If the dub want to have a firesale, I'd more than ok with that. Unfortunately, the countdown on Nellie's NBA coaching career precludes that, so we're in "hover in mediocrity" mode the rest of the way.

by GameSix on Feb 16, 2007 6:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Problem is:

I don't see the Grizz gaining much for JRich. They already have Mike Miller, and just dropped Eddie Jones (who in the prime of his career was just as good as JRich) and aren't really looking for anybody at the 2/3 spot as they probobly know it is very expendable.

In my opinion, it will be hard to get much of substance for our plethora of SGs, as most teams have good stuff at that position.

For KG: They already have Ricky Davis.

by Zorgon on Feb 15, 2007 9:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Also

I'm glad tht you're still posting rumors.

by Zorgon on Feb 15, 2007 9:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Please

JRich is a beast. He's a Warrior. A true won.

How are you really gonna encourage to trade the heart and soul of this team?

by WarriorFanForLife on Feb 15, 2007 9:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

J Rich is going nowhere

This may have been the most ridiculous rumor I have heard yet. J Rich is our heart and soul. He scores, plays defense, rebounds, and has improved his game every year since he entered the league. Sure we have a glut of guards, but Pietrus is a goner and given the fact we play small forwards at the 4 spot a ton, I think the logjam at SG is a bit overstated. We need depth at that position and Richardson will give it to us. He will stay and we will win. Just wait until Monday. Good times ahead.

by garin423 on Feb 15, 2007 11:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

everyone on the floor plays defense

but jrich is not a good defender. i'd say monta & beans are their only good defenders. pietrus would fall in that category except he's not a smart defender which automatically disqualifies him. barnes gives effort, and is a good help defender, but not a great one on one defender. kelenna & pob might be serviceable defenders, but i havent seen enough of them to make a fair assessment..

i respect jrich's game, but if we could get someone that nellie believes will help the team. he has a track record that we cannot deny.

though its a moot point because apparently, according to Chad Ford, no one around the league wants jrich.

by the evil monkey on Feb 16, 2007 10:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think JRich has improved his

help defense wouldn't you say? He's had a few swats coming from the weakside to help out a beaten teammate. At least I've seen this a lot from him.

by MANUTEs BOLs on Feb 16, 2007 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

they won't....

trade him before the deadline. and then nellie will see his true talent.

by bradyk2 on Feb 15, 2007 11:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why does heart and soul matter

When you're trying to construct a competitive basketball team?

I love Jason Richardson, and it would suck if he torches the Warriors if he plays for another team, but sometimes a valuable commodity must be moved in order to advance forwards.

But I doubt he will be traded before the deadline. I think he'll be gone during the offseason if Nelson doesn't like his game enough.

Billy Beane for Warriors GM! Time 4 sum Moneyball -Crypt0naut

by Crypt0naut on Feb 16, 2007 12:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why does heart and soul matter?

Because we want to watch players we love and respect. Personality and heart are a big part of the game and Jason is a winner in those categories.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 16, 2007 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha

If he was traded for KG straight up you'd forget all about his "heart and soul."

And, no, we want to watch players that play well, not that we "love and respect."

by GameSix on Feb 16, 2007 11:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If he was traded for KG straight up

"you'd forget all about his "heart and soul."
And, no, we want to watch players that play well, not that we "love and respect."

If they were stupid enough to trade KG straight up I'd do it then sell Garnet and buy back Jason and have a ton of extra money!
You watch the games your way and I'll watch them my way. I'd rather watch a player I like than a better player I don't like.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 16, 2007 5:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hell no

i don think pau fits our style of play, plus i don't trust cabbages backing up bdiddy if there isn't monta. I would move jrich only if it hellllllllllllaaaaa benefitted us. That guy is the heart of this team man. Seriously when he comes back I think im goin to have a lot more faith about the post season. Hallelujah holla back.

by djchuckdeez on Feb 16, 2007 1:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well

Would you really give up JRich and Monta for a softy like Pau Gasol?

by WarriorFanForLife on Feb 16, 2007 6:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nellie knows

that Jrich is a good player...not sure where you get that Nellie never talks about him. Everytime I hear Nellie he is saying stuff like, "we haven't seen the REAL Jrich yet"..."I'll start him right away"(after he comes back from injury)...Nellie knows. Jrich has done a number on a few of his Dallas teams. Remember the game winning dunk on Bradley's grill?
They MUST hold out on trading any of these guys until they play ONE game together for chrissakes:
BD
JRICH
ACTION J
AL
BEANS
MONTA

everyone else is expendable for the right price. Don't get me wrong, i'm not blind to the W's inability to grab rebounds or defend the paint. But, i would hold out on including any of the players mentioned above and look to get that rebounder either from the NBDL (Kabuki worked out pretty well after all...and last time i checked there were CHEAP bigmen down there who actually rebound the ball), in a trade for some of our expiring contracts (zarco, MP, Barnes...I know those guys don't get you a superstar but maybe a middle of the road guy a la Reggie Evans), or from the draft this summer.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Feb 16, 2007 8:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

They MUST hold out on trading any of these guys

until they play ONE game together for chrissakes:
BD
JRICH
ACTION J
AL
BEANS
MONTA

They could win lots of games with that SIX man starting rotation.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 16, 2007 9:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

not sure

if you trying to clown me Urquell, but if you actually READ my post i didn't say anything about starting. What I'm saying is those SIX, yes i can count, players should not be moved until they get a chance to play together. If i'm not mistaken the W's have never had all six in uni at the same time. I think it could be something special, but that's just me I guess.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Feb 16, 2007 9:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oaktown

I think you're absolutely right that we can find a solution to our rebounding woes in the DL or in unconventional places. We don't need an offensive contributor: we need a defender and a rebounder. It's going to be great watching those six guys (sans beans) score at a league-leading rate. All we need is a guy who comes in w/a total rebounding mentality. That's why I think the DL, where guys are hungry and are struggling to crack the league, is the perfect place to find someone w/the DESIRE to rebound. Talent/size/ability to run is another question entirely...

by GameSix on Feb 16, 2007 11:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why would you trade a player that

the Warriors need in the first place? JRich is known for his passion of the game. And passion has a lot to do with being a solid player. If the Warriors had the skills and passion of 5 JRiches, then we'll be a good team.

Now, all we need is a 4 or 5 rebounding beast/defensive presense in the paint. I don't think it's necessary to trade for a legit superstar 4 or 5 just to make it to the playoffs this year. This way, we don't trade JR, just MP.

by MANUTEs BOLs on Feb 16, 2007 9:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I hear ya Manute

that is what i'm trying to say, i don't even think this "rebounder" needs to be a starter. They just need a guy that can do it, like I said before a guy like Reggie Evans. I'm not sold on the fact that this team would be any better by trading any of the top 6 guys for a rebounder. I think it would be subtraction by subtraction. Let's get serious, the W's are NOT going to land Gasol or KG. Even if they do include any of those 6.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Feb 16, 2007 9:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

while I was typing in my last post

I noticed Evans makes a lot of money. Perhaps we can trade MP and Barnes (it seems Denver lacks swingmen???) for him. I don't know. He's quite expensive though but will clean the glass for sure.

by MANUTEs BOLs on Feb 16, 2007 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

wtf?!?!

monta, jr, and a pick for pau? wtf yeah right. i wouldnt even trade monta straight up for pau. The day we win an NBA championship without J rich will be the day he will become "expendable." Jrich is not EXPENDABLE! obviously since we haven't been that good without him this year, he's not expendable!

by travisl212 on Feb 16, 2007 9:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

if anything

the warriors trade MP before the deadline than Jrich. Nellie's not that dumb. Jrich is no doubt the best wing we have night in and night out. The only thing is that this team does not need wing scoring when we have such a glaring need in the paint. I would rather address this issue by trading MP than Jrich though.

If anything i wouldn't mind seeing them trade Jrich in the offseason to pick up a down low guy and maybe a draft pick.

With Charlotte's relative youth and low payroll, i think they'd be a good fit for Jrich. He'd immediately come in and become their starting 2 guard (i'm assuming Gerald will be gone). Make a draft day deal for their #1 pick (whom we choose) and say, sean may and filler. This way we can pick up two post players that can step in and help out. addition by addition. haha. i like this deal.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league. Purgatory is thy home.

by kenntoe on Feb 16, 2007 10:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

travis

we weren't that good with him last year. He's not the kind of gut that can carry a team on his back and lead them to wins. Not even kobe could do that. i'm not dogging you or jrich, im just saying jrich is good, but he's not enough.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league. Purgatory is thy home.

by kenntoe on Feb 16, 2007 10:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

But we didn't have better players and a better

coach last year either. He pretty much operated without Baron at the point. Can't we just give BD, JR, Al, rebounding 4, and AB a chance to play with one another? The bad thing about this is, it would take another 10 or so games to gel and by the time that comes, it's too late.

by MANUTEs BOLs on Feb 16, 2007 11:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I concur

Now lets get that rebounding 4! I have faith in Nellie/Mulliggins to find an unconventional solution to our problem. But saying that jrich is not expendable is a little silly.

by GameSix on Feb 16, 2007 11:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

is he a franchise player?

i know everyone loves jrich, and i agree that he's an awesome player, but i just don't see him as a FRANCHISE player. he is not untradeable! he is a great player and the heart and soul of our team, but there is no way to compare him to lebron, wade, kg, melo, or even bosh. those are all franchise players. you never ever get rid of those types unless they demand a trade. when that happens what do they get in return? scrubs! jrich is just not at their level. while there is no way i would trade him for scrubs, i would do it if the Dubs had a legitimate chance at getting a serviceable big man and or picks in this year's draft. then i definitely say go for it! now before you all get angry and yell about how jrich is the heart and soul and blah blah blah, think about him as well. he will no longer be the face of a struggling franchise, no more pressure to be the savior, he might even go to a team on the cusp of the playoffs and lead them in! you know how they say that former warriors always bloom elsewhere. well give jrich his chance! we know what he can do here, maybe the curse of spree/webber is holding him back and a change of pace will do him some good. well all i'm saying is that when push comes to shove would i trade jrich for scrubs? NO! would i trade him for a package of draft picks and a serviceable big man? then HELL YES! now if you all wanna hate me then go ahead.

by jmorales on Feb 16, 2007 10:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

no big trades!

we need to trade for a reggie evans type like some other people have said. that's not a big name or anything that will make sportscenter. but it will improve our team for sure.