Monday, June 30, 2008

Baron Opts Out: What Now?

To the surprise of everyone who follows the NBA, Baron Davis is walking away from $17.8 million in hopes of netting a long term term contract. The should be all-star PG is obviously trying to cash in on playing 82 games. The first time he has done so since the 01-02 season. He realizes the chance of him repeating this feat is slim. For that reason coupled with him posting all-star numbers, he opted out.
Baron, along with agent Todd Ramasar, realized the market wasn't in their favor. However, they found out that their was a team which Baron would not mind playing for who could give Baron what he wants: The Clippers. Whether those conversations were within NBA rules is a story for another day.
So now Baron has a suitor, what is Mullin to do? He can sign him, trade him or allow him to leave without receiving anything in return. If the decision was mine I would choose to trade the disgruntled former employee. My first choice would be to seek a double sign-and-trade with the Clippers for Elton Brand. Though, I believe the Clippers would prefer to sign both Brand and Davis (something which the Clippers are capable of doing). Therefore, I propose the Warriors engage in a three-team deal involving the Nuggets and Pistons. The Warriors give the Nuggets that PG would they have desperately coveted the past few years in return for Carmelo Anthony. The Warriors then send Anthony along with others (most likely including Al Harrington) to the Pistons for Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups. The Warriors may also just decide to plan for the future and keep Anthony, deferring the next few seasons to the Lakers and Spurs. This actually is not a bad idea. A team with a nucleus of Ellis, Anthony, Wright, Randolph and Biedrins sounds mighty tempting. But I see the Mullin preferring to contend now while the Blazers aren't dominating the West and choosing to pursue Billups and Wallace.
While all these trade options sound great, unfortunately for the Warriors, Baron is an unrestricted free-agent, meaning the ball is in his court. Warriors' fans, prepare yourselves for a very interesting next few weeks.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Recapping the Warriors' Draft

Overall, it is safe to say that the Warriors had a successful draft given that they had the 14th and 49th picks of the draft. The Warriors' first selection, Anthony Randolph, is tall, thin and athletic, three qualities Warriors GM Chris Mullin appears to covet in his first round draft choices (see Andris Biedrins and Brandan Wright). Though despite Randolph's feather-like frame, he has the potential to be a star in the league. Think Lamar Odom, but better. Mullin envisions Randolph to be the small forward in his starting lineup of the future which already includes Monta Ellis, Marco Belinelli, Wright and Biedrins. Sounds like a dominant teams as long as they all reach their full potential (which is a big "if").
As for the Warriors second selection of this year's draft, Richard Hendrix, the Warriors may have acquired the steal of the second round. Hendrix possesses the body and skills to be a Paul Milsap at worst and a Carlos Boozer at best. Not bad for a 49th pick. In addition, Hendrix provides the Warriors with a powerful body who can bang with the big boys, something which the Warriors are in desperate need of. If Hendrix turns out to be a steal, don't be surprised because Mullin has a nice track record when it comes to drafting second round talent.
Could the Warriors have done better in selecting their first two draft choices? Probably not as the Warriors drafted the best talent available for both their picks. But if the Warriors wanted to take that extra step to improve their draft, they could have. The Warriors could have traded up to snag Jarryd Bayless, who would have potentially provided the Warriors with their point guard of the future. Something which would ease the pain of Baron Davis' inevitable departure (which I feel will occur sooner rather than later). Or if Mullin was not sold on Jarryd's point guard skills, then he could have easily acquired Mario Chalmers to be a steady PG of the future.
Though let us not dwell on the negatives and focus on the positives. Ultimately, Randolph and Hendrix provide the Warriors two more potentially strong pieces to add to their team of the future. Not bad Mullie.

Friday, June 6, 2008

McFadden signs!

Well Al Davis can actually learn from a mistake. Who would have known? The crypt keeper looking owner has signed his rookie running back to six years and sixty million. He signed McFadden much sooner, about five months sooner, than he did JaMarcus last year. In addition, that sounds like a fair contract for both sides. This move is a good one, especially when considering what AD has done this offseason, which consisted of him greatly overpaying for the likes of Tommy Kelly, Kwame Harris, Javon Walker, Gibril Wilson and DeAngelo Hall. Well done Al.