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Rumor: Jason Richardson for P.J. Brown and Michael Sweetney

Sam Smith of ChicagoSports.com is probably just speculating, but here's a trade possibility he offered today:

If the Bulls can't get my personal speculative favorite, Kevin Garnett, you can see the Warriors' Jason Richardson being a possibility.

Golden State is showing why good coaching does make a difference. Though the Warriors just lost two games at the buzzer, they're a better, more entertaining team under Don Nelson. And that's with Richardson, who's returning slowly from off-season knee surgery, averaging just 14.3 points.

A big part of the Warriors' quick start has been the play of center Andris Biedrins and shooting guard Monta Ellis, the latter a second-rounder out of high school in 2005. A year ago under Mike Montgomery, Richardson was an untouchable big-guard scorer. But that seems no longer the case as much with a bursting Warriors' payroll and the Bulls having P.J. Brown and Michael Sweetney on ending contracts worth about $11.3 million. It wouldn't be easy to get Richardson, though you figure the Warriors might listen these days with Ellis averaging 18.3 per game and Biedrins 11.4 points and 9.9 rebounds at the Warriors' previous dead-zone position.

I would be absolutely shocked if the Warriors moved JRich in a salary dump. He's had a tough early going this season, but he's easily the most popular Warrior and a Bay Area sports favorite. The Warrior front office and management are fully capable of doing the asinine, but even I don't think they'd be stupid enough to move JRich without bringing back a legitimate big name draw. It would be a PR nightmare. If the Warriors did the unthinkable and moved JRich for expiring contracts, they'd have to make one hell of an apology to Warriors Nation. At the very least they'd have to top JR's classy apology to Warriors Nation last season after the Warriors missed the playoffs for the 12th straight season.

The Warriors' salary cap problems and ridiculous payroll have been well-documented pretty much everywhere. The looming contract decisions for Andris Biedrins, Monta Ellis, and Mickael Pietrus are also something to keep in mind. They're going to need some salary cap space and cash. Would you move Jason Richardson for expiring contracts to free up some dough for these extensions?

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