How about Harrington for Hinrich?

Hinrich is definitely on the block with the drafting of Rose. The Bulls have big guys like Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas, and Aaron Gray who are very limited offensively.

The Warriors are in need of a legitimate point guard. Also one of Hinrich's strengths is guarding bigger guards, so he would complement Monta nicely by allowing Monta to play the 2 on offense and guard the 1 on defense.

The players have very similar contracts for the next 2 years. The difference is that after 2 years Harrington's contract expires, while Hinrich will still have 2 more years. Still, Hinrich would come at a reasonable price, especially considering that his contract actually decreases from year to year.

(I have to admit I didn't come up with this idea myself - saw it in a John Hollinger article http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=FreeAgency-080703 It just made a lot of sense to me so thought I should post it)

Okafor is a restricted free agent under the Bobcats who are a really, really cheapass frugal team, so I don't think it would be a stretch to say we could steal him from them as long as we're willing to give up Biedrins?  I'm not sure how much either would actually command, but you don't hear much about Okafor because he's on Charlotte so I suspect he's somewhat undervalued, and therefore he wouldn't be significantly more than Biedrins. 

Okafor is considered a Center and prime defensive center at that who has the ability to bang in the paint and grab boards.  He's exactly what we need.  Of course, if we get Brand... WE SHOULD STILL TRY STEAL OKAFOR!  and then try push the price on Josh Smith so the Hawks overpay and then can't pay up for Childress who we try take for the midlevel.  This doesn't solve our point guard woes by any means, but there's no way we can do that anyways on teh free agent market, so we should stockpile amazing talent to trade later.

By now the whole league should have an idea of the size of our treasure chest, second tier star players such as Smith and Okafor should be legit possibilities for the Warriors to sign. Why these 2 players besides the fact they will both become restricted free agents?

J.Smith is playing on a team with a plethora of SF, his style of play and skill sets would greatly benefit the Warriors - his ability to extend out to 3pt range when needed (although not at a high percentage), rebounding, shot blocking, length, ball handling and explosiveness. I would take him over Harrington any day of the week.  Warriors would be doing them a favor by taking Smith away, and being on difference conferences always helps.

E.Okafor is playing for a team that is not going anywhere, even with the addition of JRich, they won't be going anywhere close to where the Warriors are heading in the next few years. Okafor could be the low post player Warriors have always wanted. To help defend the rim, finish pick and rolls, get physical with the pool of talened big men in the West, plus he might be just as smart as A. Foyle! I'm sure he would appreciate the environment of an intelligent fan base of the bay area.

With the addition of either player, this Warriors team would be much bigger, while still fast and athletic as hell with Monta at point, sharing ball handling duties with Jackon/Buki/Bellineli. I'm already curious to see if Coach Smart will assign ball handling duties to Bellineli in the summer league, i think it would be smart to. With the break up of the speedy Suns, the new trend in the West is to become bigger. Suns got bigger, Portland will be a monster, Lakers, Jazz, Hornets are all loaded with big talented players, Warriors need to follow the trend and sign one of these players if they want a piece of the conference championship.

On Baron's Yardbarker blog, he remembers the fans of the Bay for the support he had when he was here.

"Welcome homeeee! Lol its ya boy BoomDizzle the new Hollywood Boom or now it should be called HollyBoom! I'm a Clipper now and I couldn't be any happier to come home. The sad part is I'm leaving a city that truly made me feel welcomed. My fans and supporters in the bay will always have a place in my heart. Ya digg! I really just had to express how excited I am about being home. But check it, I'm off to dinner. So check back tommorow.. Same time, same channel.. I got something special planned for all my fans! Ill holla!"

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I am not mad at Baron. If I was in his shoes, I'd want to go home also. When management doesn't give much of an effort to keep you, it's hard not to find opportunities elsewhere.

Thank you Baron for everything!

The warriors just updated their website today with the rosters for both the Las Vegas Summer League and the Rocky Mountain Summer leagues. The team consists of nothing but guards and forwards. In fact Anthony Randolph is the tallest player on this team. Which I find kind of funny. Anyways heres the link.

Warriors Summer League Rosters

Here is the roster:

I have a question for everyone that just came to me.......

If Brand signs with the Warriors, what will Baron Davis do? He ONLY verbally committed to the Clippers (Boozer did the same thing to the Cavs a few years ago and then went to the Jazz) and thus would he then back peddle and take any offer with the Warriors? Obviously, Team wise, he would be in hell with the Clippers compared to what Team the Warriors would then have.

Also, would Mullin even offer him a decent contract in that situation? (I would assume sure he would). Does the allure of still playing in Los Angeles supersede all? Will he try for the Lakers (don't know if that is even possible).

I just was wondering what you all feel WOULD and/or SHOULD happen if Elton Brand accepts the Warriors offer, me personally, I do NOT care. I love the Warriors no matter what and would be excited for the possibilities this year if we get Brand and/ maybe Baron or the possibilities for the future if we don't get them and are rebuilding because we got some young talent.

This whole situation is exciting for offseason, now we got summer league coming too!

I am 15 and have only been a Warrior fan for 4 years. This may seem irrelevant but I see the Warriors as a franchise that is committed to winning, even if there not big spenders and a team with good front office guys chiefly Chris Mulling. I believe that the Warriors getting rid of Baron Davis is a good thing in the long run and I know I will get some angry comments for that remark but first let me elaborate. The way I see it the Warriors have opened up lots of cap room and with that comes many opportunities for the future. It is a little bit long but very reasonable for the Warriors and it could make them a great team not just the good team they were with Baron.

For the Warriors to Maintain Beans and Ellis along with keeping Harrington, Jackson, Wright, Belinelli, Watson, and signing Randolph and Hendrix, along with keeping Foyle's Contact on the books it occupies around 43 million in cap space. Harrington and Foyle are each set to earn 9 million this year with Harrington having an addition al year at 10 million. I would like to explore a scenario that would leave the Warriors set for the future. 

In any case the I believe the Warriors should lock up Ellis for 9-11 million on a deal around 5 years and put together the team around him and the young talent down low. I also think we should sign Azubuike to a 2 year deal worth about 8 million. Biedrins is not as crucial but a back loaded 3 year deal worth around 18 millions would leave us with about 12 million in cap space with 10 players under contract.

In this scenario we make a major trade with the grizzlies with the major piece being Javaris Crittenton who I believe has the ability to become a star. The other great thing about him is that he is locked up for as long as 4 years with only a salary of about 2 million a year. The Grizzlies are trying to move contracts and we know they would love to move Marko Jaric who has three years left at seven million per year, with that we could probably get them to throw in Hakim Warrick who would be a nice backup as well. We could give them the soon expiring contract of Al Harrington and a protected first round pick. Or maybe Adonal Foyle's expiring contract plus a protected first rounder, and maybe a second rounder or another small throw in. This would allow them to gain expiring contracts that would leave them ready for a big free agent signing in 2009. 

 Lets assume the trade ends up being Javaris Crittenton, Marko Jaric, and Hakim Warrick who total 15 million in salary. For Al Harrington, a protected first round pick, and a second rounder. That would leave us with 10 million in salary, with Foyle coming off the books next year leaving us with 18 million to spend. We also will most likely not make the playoffs this year so we would have that early first rounder to pick up a guy who can help back up Biedrins or contribute of the bench as a SG/SF, also we would have that cash to be a major player in free agency next year Our roster for this year would be,

PG- Javaris Crittenton, Marko Jaric, C.J. Watson

SG- Monta Ellis, Marco Belinelli

SF- Stephen Jackson, Kellena Azubuike

PF- Brandan Wright, Anthony Randolph, Hakim Warrick

C- Andris Biedrins, Richard Hendrix

We could sign a veteran center to back up Biedrins but nothing extravagant. The 2009 Free agent class includes unrestricted free agents, Ray Allen, Drew Gooden, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion, Andre Miller, Ron Artest, and Chris Wilcox. Of course some of them will be signed up way before they hit the market. some restricted guys are, Rajon Rondo, Raymond Felton, Sean May, Andrew Bynum, Andrew Bogut, David Lee, Jarret Jack, Deron Williams, and Paul Millsap. I know everyone is talking about 2010 but that is a pretty amazing free agent class and If we could sign Rasheed Wallace and maybe another good bench player then we could make a serious run in 2009. I believe everything in this scenario is very doable for the Warriors and any comments good or bad are appreciated.

Don't worry its not news...yet.

What if Warriors traded for the disgruntled, fading, once drafted and traded away by our very own, Vince Carter?

Carter sounds like he wants out of New Jersey, maybe even the NBA.  But don't you think just maybe a shot in the arm to a high octane offense is all the 31 year old needs?

As bad as the media made him sound to be last year and playing with an ankle injury, Carter finished this last season strong with averages of 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists after the All-Star break. He was one of only three NBA players, along with Lebron and Kobe, to average at least 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the year, with averages of 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

I for one think Monta should be our PG, doubters say he's young, more a natural scorer, and may not be ready to run a team; three things that best described the best score-first PG the Warriors ever let go, Gilbert.  How is that guy doing by the way?

Besides the only way Monta can play the 2, is if the PG we acquire is a BIT stronger and bigger, so that they can guard the 2 and Monta can stick with the smaller point on defense.

How much younger do the Warriors need to get, plus Vince is not our long term solution at the 2, and he doesn't need to be.  We have a terrific shooter/scorer in Marco who is still figuring out the game.

Well its just an idea, since I don't see the Warriors getting Brand or Arenas.  And it makes me cry that Ron Artest didn't opt out cause we'd be all over him, too bad Ron Ron. 

UPDATE: July 3, 9:40 AM  Marc Stein of ESPN implies that there's a chance Brand will take the Warriors offer. 

Marc Stein implies a bunch of things.  What does imply necessarily mean? Does it mean that he has overheard something, doubtful, as we all know ESPN sells ratings, stirs pots and overembellishes on a lot of things.

UPDATE: July 3, 9:40 AM  Marc Stein of ESPN implies that there's a chance Brand will take the Warriors offer. 

This idea is contigent upon us landing Elton Brand, I truly hope we don't.  But if we did get him, I'd hold himhostage to Miami who truly wants him. 

What I would do is somehow package a deal that would send Elton Brand and Maybe Brandon Wright or Anthony Randolph to the Heat for Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley. 

Or this deal which I am not too fond of but again it would a ton of cap space and get us a one year fix at point:  We would send Brand, Action Jackson, and maybe Belinelli for Marion, Jayson (White Chocolate) WIlliams and Michael Beasley.

We would clear 25M in cap space by doing this trade the following year which could help us go after a big name in 2009 or 2010 and have Beasley to build around.

Now I know we might have to give up more, but the Heat want Brand and Brand wants to play with the Heat, so this potentially could happen.  We may need to add in a second round pick or another young player. 

But this is the upside, Marion will be off the books very soon, so we onyl gotta pay him one year of 18M and then hes gone.  And we would land Michael Beasley which would the perfect piece to build our franchise around.  Imagine for a second Monta, Beasley, and Beans with either Wright or Randolph whomever we got to keep.

However, I truly hope the warriors will extend offers and focus thier attention on Andre Igoudala or Josh Smith.  Becuase I believe our future is getting young and signing one of the two at around 12-15M a year with the deal being front loaded. 

And lastly, MOnta wants a long term deal at only about 10M a year.  That seems like a huge steal in my opinion.  I thought we would honestly have to pay him about 12-13M a year.  For his young age and talent level this is a steal.  I hope Mullin locks that up real fast before he decides to do a 1 year tender deal for 1M and then walks the next year away from the Warriors.

What do you guys think?  I just dont want brand and his big contract because although Brand helps us we wont be winning a title ever or competiting for one.  We will make the playoffs but barely and prolly bounce out in the first round or second round.  If we get young and build around a young core then we can compete for a title in like 3-5 years and be good for the next decade.  We need to follow the trailblazers model right now.  Their roster is loaded.