Link: KG Gone, Other Possibilities?

by Fantasy Junkie on Jul 31, 2007 7:34 AM PDT in Links

The KG to Boston trade is 99% of the way there, but the Warriors still have a hole down low. As is, the Warriors could try to fill it with Al Harrington as they did last year and when he needs a rest, Brandan Wright. But unless Al Harrington suddenly turned into a consistent rebounding, shot blocking, defensive presence down low, the roster is flawed and may not get the Warriors into the playoffs. So what's a GM to do? Marcus Thompson has some suggestions in his Plan B.

There are quite a bit of options out there, though none are as exciting as Garnett, who seemed to be a perfect fit for the Warriors' needs. The Warriors have a $10M trade exception to play with from the Jason Richardson deal, and perhaps a lottery pick they may not want (if you believe the rumors that the Warriors didn't want Brandan Wright, but just wanted to use Charlotte's No. 8 as a pawn to get KG).

Check out the article to see who he thinks are potential future Warriors.

Also drop by Lifelong's diary, What's the new dream?, and the comments within it for an interesting discussion on some potential players.

The players that Marcus lists aren't top players. All have some flaws, but are big and can rebound. Which of the players mentioned in the article would you prefer?

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Comments

LONG LIVE KG

it will be fun to watch those 3 play together.

hope they do well.

by yayareawarriors on Jul 31, 2007 8:07 AM PDT reply actions

100% done

Check out the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2956103

The Celtics will be good entertainment this year! When do they come to the town?

by OaktownWarrior on Jul 31, 2007 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

cool diary

Drew Gooden - Might be ok, but can do without him. He's a big body who might serve some use on defending big guys, but he's been playing in the eastern conference.

Chris Wilcox - If they can get this guy for cheap I'd go for him. But he's pretty much the more aggressive and Athletic version of Josh Powell. I agree that he doesn't have a high basketball IQ, but he'd be a good fit for the Warriors b/c he can run and he just likes to throw the ball down people's throats.

Udonis Haslem/Zaza/Swift - GTFO

Rasheeeeeed - Another loose cannon on the warriors? Just imagine him and Action Jackson on the court at the same time. He's cool, but he doesn't feel a real need for the Warriors at this time.

Charlie V and Yi - I wouldn't mind of these guys if they come cheap. Both are some what young and possible prospects.

The biggest problem I have with this list is how do you go from wanting to get KG to these people? Is this the best alternative? Definately not, but I suppose in the case of KG I believe in the Go Big Or Go Home b/c KG isn't a gamble on paper. Other people have a higher risk for injury, stats, etc. The only other person I would want on the Warriors at this exact moment in time would be Amare, given that he stays healthy... he would fit right in.

by david240z on Jul 31, 2007 8:09 AM PDT reply actions

Haslem

What do you have against haslem? I ws watching some youtube videos and he can run the floor as well as hit the mid-range. That is pretty much what we need.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SOpddW4ml1U

He plays in a slow system, but he seems to have the ability to play in ours. He really is an underrated player.

I also wouldn't mind going after Chuck Hayes if nothing else works out. He is a hustler and can finsih around the hoop. He killed us when we played him last year.

by yehyeh82 on Jul 31, 2007 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Haslem

He's not even an impact on a team in the Eastern Conference... thats pretty much what I have against him. If he was outstanding in the East, he might be average for the west. Youtube can make almost anyone look good except maybe foyle and dunleavey.

Chuck Hayes is too small to fill the need for the Warriors. He is a Matt Barnes who does more defensive work and less shooting.

by david240z on Jul 31, 2007 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions

We don't need impact

We need a guy to do the dirty work. Everyone is getting greedy because of the KG thing, but there aren't many players out there like that. The fact is Haslem will help us win games. If we had him last year against Utah, I feel we would have won that series. he can hold his own against Boozer.

He helped his team win a championship. obviously he isn't going to be the main focus for his team with Shaq and Wade there. he will do the dirty work and is an above average power forward.

by yehyeh82 on Jul 31, 2007 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

i agree with you that we don't need an impact

player... but if you go from KG to Haslem, you're talking day and night. I'm not saying he's not worth looking at, but there are other people that would far better suit the GSW's needs at the moment.

Plus the warriors aren't built on a bunch of impact players, so in that sense he might fit in. I just don't think that he would be the ideal choice if they had to fill that spot, but you never know until he actually is in that position and is given a chance to show what he can contribute during the regular season for a ball club.

by david240z on Jul 31, 2007 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

i dont understand

i don't get why people are saying "going from KG to Haslem/Gooden (or whoever else)." We would be going from KG to: Monta, Wright, and whoever we end up possibly trading our exception for (Gooden/Haslem/etc).

Its not like we weren't gonna give anything up to get KG. Now we don't have to break up our core and can get a player to be a bruiser down low and "do the dirty work" while Wright gains some experience and shows us what he can do. Sky is the limit for this kid (hopefully he can get close.)

I'd be shocked if the W's were hurting in the scoring department next season. We need a bruiser who can run (or as close to that as we can muster).

I for one am glad we did not get KG. I'm excited to watch our team grow. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out w/ Baron and his extension though.

by myron on Jul 31, 2007 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

thanks

for that. i still dont know why people see any single player we pick up as a consolation prize. for what Minn wanted, and what it looks like they got

is KG alone really worth more than

Monta, Beans, Wright, Harrington, Cabbages, POB 1st rd Draft Pick, and who we'd pick up (Gooden, Haslem, Wallace, etc.)?

by nativeson on Jul 31, 2007 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions

whoa

who ever said we had a chance at KG??? tell me that. in writing please. Saying there is a disparity between KG and Haslem is well--DUH...of course there is a huge disparity. BUT, BUT both would've upgraded this team. KG would have helped more than Udonis, but Udonis would still be an upgrade to this team.

Stop presuming KG was already going to be a Warrior.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

by kenntoe on Jul 31, 2007 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL

Look at how fat the guy is guarding Yi. No wonder he dominated at times. I really don't think he is ready to play big minutes in the NBA so i would pass on him.

by yehyeh82 on Jul 31, 2007 8:49 AM PDT reply actions

Sheed, Yi or Wilcox

Sheed would be a coup at this point. The only issue would be compatability. He is amazingly talented, tough, a winner, clutch.

Getting Yi for Wright would be interesting.

Best case might be getting Wilcox and Yi - some strength and some style. Or some other way, stockpiling two big men.

Unfortunately, now that we didn't get KG, the J-Rich trade is looking pretty bad. We gave up a soldier, and we've gotten softer, and we have less scoring punch.

by OaktownWarrior on Jul 31, 2007 9:22 AM PDT reply actions

From what I remember...

...watching Zaza Pachula against us - he seemed pretty mobile for a big and scored down low. Admittedly, I don't watch the Hawks very often, but from the small sample size that I watched, I actually think he would fit in well here.

by UweBlab on Jul 31, 2007 9:22 AM PDT reply actions

Is this really it?

Man. While none of those players are bad, per se, (with the exception of Stro Swift, of course), none of them seem worth wasting our exception on. I mean, Jason Richardson's departure got the W's that extension. You can't tell me Mullin would spend that on Stro Swift or Zaza Effing Pachulia. Here's to hoping that Mullin has something miraculous up his sleeve for the third time.

by Tenorca on Jul 31, 2007 9:29 AM PDT reply actions

What about

Jermaine O'neal. Hasn't he been on the block for a while?

by sup3rk1ng on Jul 31, 2007 9:40 AM PDT reply actions

Trades

Rasheed would be a PERFECT fit for the warriors. What can we give them for him though? The Trade Exception + POB + Jasc + A pick probably?

Yi. I love him but would want to keep Wright. I'd do a Monta for him though or POB + A Pick.

by ejdacanay on Jul 31, 2007 10:15 AM PDT reply actions

Monta

for Yi? Please, Yi is going to be a bust. and they surely wouldn't do it for POS and a pick. Atleast make the trade scenario's half way real.

by J Rich 4 MVP on Jul 31, 2007 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Yi

Uhh, unless your God or psychic I do not see how you know that Yi will be a bust. If everyone knew he would be a bust why was he considered of going 3rd in the draft last year? The scouts know what they're looking at. I was just throwing out possibilities of a trade.

by ejdacanay on Jul 31, 2007 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't always rely on what scouts say

'Cuz they aren't always right either.

U mean we get to KEEP him?

by KillaKrossOvr on Jul 31, 2007 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

If you watched summer league

You would see that all the signs are there for him being a bust. The scouts never even really got to see him play against decent competition. CBA is like high scool ball here, he better dominate.

by yehyeh82 on Jul 31, 2007 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

summer league is "just practice"

let's not get too excited one way or the other based on summer league play. yi for monta is an interesting move. basically, you're trading a combo guard with a balky knee taken in the 2nd round for a lottery pick in a crazy-talented draft.

monta is valuable and still has loads of potential, but he is somewhat stubborn and possibly, not very coachable. the words of keith smart and don nelson do not herald this kid. they are always wary of his hype as to not let him get big-headed. he cried when he got shaving cream in the face. c'mon that happens to everyone, although he was a 2nd year playa not a rook. can we find another bellinelli every year at 15-25? how valuable is a 7 footer who can hit from anywhere, rebound, block and run the floor like a gazelle. now, how about having 2 of those guys, locked up in a 3 year rookie deal.

now, as things have progressed, we have better leverage than the bucks do with yi. anyone of azn persuasion knows how stubborn the chinese govt. can be to get their way. can yi be had for less than monta? salary cap relief? as my webpin attests to, i think monta has an extremely high ceiling as a player. but, he hasn't convinced me he is a winner after losing PT when Baron and JRich came back. i still want to keep him, but would you take Boykins and Yi for Monta and _?

by eshock @ Golden State Of Mind on Jul 31, 2007 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Problem is

Yi can't rebound or defend and his lateral-quickness is non-existant. thsi was pretty obvious as he was playing against non-NBA but athletic players. His shot is alright, but he doesn't run the court like a gazelle, Wright does. Yi will never be as good as Monta.

by yehyeh82 on Jul 31, 2007 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

good rebut, but

if you were tryin to force a trade, would you bring your 'A' game to Summer League? if yi played really well, it might be harder for the bucks to trade him and lose face. yi excelled at workouts. now, does that translate to NBA competition? maybe not.

yi is looking really tradeable right now. buy low, sell high. nelson has proven himself as a talent evaluating savant. if he's not into JR nor Monta, i have to imagine he knows exactly what he wants and what criteria he uses to make the decision.

by eshock @ Golden State Of Mind on Jul 31, 2007 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Yi

I wouldn't say he excelled at workouts. He had very secretive workouts and never worked out with other players. Milwaukee never even got a chance to work him out but still picked him. A few teams that decided to work him out decided to pass on him. I just not haqve liked what I have seen out of him and I don't want to trade one of our proven players, like Monta, for him.

If we can get him for POB + 2nd rounder or something of that nature I would be all for it. Not for Wright or a rotation guy, however.

by yehyeh82 on Jul 31, 2007 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions

KG

First off, my heartfelt symphaty for the Sota fans in missing KG after 11 years.

Second, our congratulations to the Celtic fans for snaring a big fish though using all your good baits in doing so. No doubt both RA and KG are very good players because they are both go-to guys. Now it is the problem of Doc to formulate offensive schemes for his newly acquired francise players to have enough touches to make them happy and productive.

Now in the home front. No doubt the Warriors have already formulated a blueprint for next year campaign. But there are still some unanswered questions because of lack of info either from the front office or from the media. All what the Warriors fan do is speculate and our speculation will not be far off if only:

We know Nellie will be coming back. Because if he will, then we know that he will stick to his offensive/defensive schemes of Nellie-ball. Only big men that can shoot and run, fluid in switching in defensive rotation and have long arms to disrupt the passing lane will play. Otherwise, if your name is not Biedrins you will sit next to Foyle.
How much will the front office willing to spend. At present we have 11 signed players (Davis, Ellis, Jackson, Harrington, Biedrins, Foyle, POB, Jasikevicius, Wright, Asubujie, and Bellinelli) amounting to $54,957.798. We have a qualifying offer to MP which is 3.4m and contract offer to Perovic. Perhaps it more to rookie minimum because of the buy-out from Partizan, say 1m and rookie minimum to Lasme for $427.163, roughly about 60m way below the lux tax of $67,865.
What do we need most? PG, SF, PF? With the 7-game suspension of Jackson, our perimeter defense needs shoring up. Does Bukie and MP (assuming he signs) can do it? Or, do we need to re-sign Barnes or sign up Posey/Udoka? My money goes to Barnes because he is familiar with Nellie and his system. Again, for how much? Say, Sarunas can can be our back-up PG or do we need to bring a doable and cheaper one? Again, if we re-sign Barnes at 3m then we have very little salary space before hitting the lux tax. Assuming we still need a SF, Cook of the Fakers is the only one that fits. 3.5m/year with three years remaining of his contract. The Fakers are above the lux tax and with the signing of Kolby makes their roster to 15.

With the possible addition of MP, Barnes, Perovic, Lasme in the roster, that makes the total compliment of 15 players. Now, who do you think the Warriors weed out to thin the roster to 12 as per NBA line-up.

This is Warrior situation based on available info. Any suggestion for improvements?

by muritqua on Jul 31, 2007 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

that other shoe dropping

while many of us hoped KG was the other shoe, now could it be Nelson?

JRich was the first to go, could it be that Nelson decides to re-retire now? I wrote a while back that it was not about money and that he was waiting to see what the roster would be. He said he would decide in July. Well?

If Nelson stays, the best we have reason to hope for is a solid first half (+- .500) and another mid-season deal (maybe with TPE) just like Pree predicted a while back ...

If Nelson leaves, I say bite the bullet and trade Baron now while we can get value - knowing that is not a popular choice. The likely alternatives are not good. We are not likely to make the playoffs, BD and Jax are not likely to stay upbeat in a frustrating situation with a new coach after last year's euphoria, and if we are forced to trade them we'll get little in return, that is assuming anyone is willing to take them & their contracts.

While we didn't "lose" KG, the direction of the franchise could have been far different had we landed him. Rather than worry about who we could get, other veterans who are looking for a chance to win might be willing to sign for less to play here with BD& KG. Now, we'll likely go back to the days of overpaying for slightly above average players to come to GS. The rest of these names are just guys who might be available, who might help us get back to the 8th seed, who might come if we overpay ... might ... might ....

I do understand everyone's fear of giving up the farm for short term hopes. I'm just not sold on the long term either. And without Nelson, I am absolutely not sold on Mullin leading us to the promised land.

by hardcore on Jul 31, 2007 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

wilcox

ive thought for a long time that he is a stud and perfect for the dubs. gooden would be nice as well.

by Proof on Jul 31, 2007 11:43 AM PDT reply actions

Hoopsworld's take on the Dub's plan B options...

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22918.shtml

by Joe Frank on Jul 31, 2007 1:05 PM PDT reply actions

Good Article

I agree with the general concept that Mullin is now working on a series of smaller moves - shoring up a PF, signing a wing player and hopefully acquiring another PG. I think his trading assets are Wright, the trade exception, Ellis, Harrington and then Jasicovicius and POB for junkier contracts.

Of the options mentioned above, I still am intrigured by AK-47, whom I believe could be had for Harrington and Jasicovicius. He's not the rebounder the Warriors need (although he's better than Harrington), but the rest of his game fits Nellie's system to a tee and as of one year ago he was arguably a top ten player. So the Warriors would be getting good value. But what mostly makes him available is his luxury tax busting $63 million contract, which could prove to be impracticle when trying to re-up Biedrins.

Otherwise, I like Gooden the best, because he is an outstanding rebounder, athletic, long, and in Nellie's system, would be useful defender. He's also got a relatively cheap contract and could be had for the trade exception and a future pick.

I also like Wilcox, although he's not the rebounder that Gooden is. But he's way athletic, although his (lack of) basketball IQ may drive Nellie nuts.

I don't think Haslam is good enough for the assets Miami will demand for him.

by San Francisco Slim on Jul 31, 2007 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Rasheed Wallace

Has declined severely since moving to Detroit. Moreover, since the Pistons fancy themselves a championship contender...why would they give up on him if he were producing?

The guy doesn't rebound anymore and shoots way too many 3's. He's an angry Troy Murphy ('06-07 version) at this point in his career.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Jul 31, 2007 3:23 PM PDT reply actions

Has anyone seen Sleepy Freud around?

I wanna make sure that guy is alright!

by pree on Jul 31, 2007 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

Haha

I think he will survive.

by olympicmike on Jul 31, 2007 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Heh, not dead...

Just wounded, sir. Thanks for your concern.

My thoughts on the matter were all over JB's initial KG thread (that the Wizard of OZ mysteriously deleted) as well as the second one by gswarriors2006.

As I said, it's a little deflating to go from dreams of a championship back to middle-of-the-packville, but I'll live. My dream plan B is to trade Harrington/Cabbages/POB for AK-47, and the TPE plus next year's first for Artest. Or maybe vice versa, depending on what Utah and Sac want.

Baron/Monta
Jax/Beli/Buki
Artest/Barnes or MP2
Kirilenko/Wright/Lasme or Powell
Biedrins/Foyle

Yeah, I could live with that. For one thing, absolutely no one would look forward to playing offense against that team...

by Sleepy Freud on Jul 31, 2007 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

in all fairness to OZ

I mistakenly dumped the thread, he was working to resurrect

by hardcore on Aug 1, 2007 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I think

the AK-47 trade would have a better chance of happening w/o POB in the package. AK can't be had for the TPE - his contract is too big. However, I think those are doable trades.

The question is whether Mullin - or anybody in the world, for that matter - would have the guts to put Barron, S-Jax and Artest on the same team.

by San Francisco Slim on Aug 1, 2007 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

this sucks

now everybody will use the Boston Celtics to Cheese on NBA 2K8/Live 08. Keep Shooting with Allen/Pierce and Just Dunk with Garnett all day XD

I will always be your fan JRich. Good Luck

by chili01 on Jul 31, 2007 3:47 PM PDT reply actions

Get Foyle to take the deal

like Hudson

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AkxYE1HfWajgqExjwkr0RdG8vLYF?slug=ap-timberwolves-hudson&p rov=ap&type=lgns

and fill in behind.

by streetballer on Jul 31, 2007 4:45 PM PDT reply actions

Foyle

would never accept a buy-out. Why should he? Plus, in a year his contract actually becomes a useful asset - a fat expiring contract for trading purposes.

The Troy Hudson to Boston angle is interesting. Danny Ainge would be an idiot to sign him, even for the veteran minimum. Hudson has nothing left in the tank.

by San Francisco Slim on Aug 1, 2007 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions

celtics gave it all away.. for one year

Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and Theo Ratliff, i don't see how the warriors could have competed with that. plus, the 2 future first round picks.

The Internet has done much to unite all of New England into Boston fans. Beantown has an urgency to win now at all costs. But, did they not just build a team with three perennial All Stars that need the ball a lot?

by eshock @ Golden State Of Mind on Jul 31, 2007 4:56 PM PDT reply actions

scratch that

3 year contract extension has been signed to keep him a celtic til 2010=11.

by eshock @ Golden State Of Mind on Jul 31, 2007 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

YI

I think that Yi is overrated.He played two days ago against my country(Slovenia)and scored 10 points against our SF and PF which are maybe only the 8, to 10 best forwards in Slovenia(we have just 2 million inhabitants), because the others are injured or resigned to play this year for national team. He would be eaten if he played against our top PF-SF.

by buky on Jul 31, 2007 5:30 PM PDT reply actions

curious why your top

guys don't play in the NBA?

Is it a lack of interest on their part or the NBA's? Do they prefer to be stars in Slovenia rather than role players in the NBA? Or is it age or size?

I know Slovenia has a good league. Just curious

by Zig on Jul 31, 2007 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions

first

they do play in NBA(Nachbar,Slokar)
2. most of them play in Europe(almost none of them plays in Slovenia)
3.You should ask them or NBA GM-S

Why would size be the problem(they are all over 6,6 ft)
Only the best European players become NBA role players(i guess they(USA) didn't lost enough games to other countries to see that good B-ball is played around the world)

...I just wanted to say that Yi played against our backup-backup forwards and still he didn't dominate none of them.

by buky on Jul 31, 2007 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Not this year but...

Emeka Okafor has an expiring deal, I think he becomes a restricted free agent next year, but we might be able to get a sign and trade if we offer enough, which might not be hard due to the Bobcats not wanting to spent money. I think he would be a good compliment to Biedrins as a PF, and gives us more offense in the paint as well as rebounding and defense.

by Elcold on Jul 31, 2007 7:19 PM PDT reply actions

The Cats

I love the cats even before J-Rich trade. Especially after drafting all them North Carolina players. I'd love to see Okafor in a warrior jersey, but I don't think the cats will give him up.

by ejdacanay on Jul 31, 2007 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions