Two years ago, the Warriors acquired Baron Davis and went on a hot streak to end the season. They did particularly well once Baron got healthier and into playing shape. They then sat on their hands all offseason, thinking they had cured all their ills. This past season the Warriors again made a trade, waited for Baron to get healthy, and got hot. This season's hot streak meant more - the Warriors made the playoffs and pulled off a historic upset over the 67 win Dallas Mavericks - but in the end fell well short of a championship (which, after all, should be the goal).
To get past bigger teams like San Antonio and Utah, the Warriors need an upgrade at the power forward spot. With erstwhile power forward Al Harrington being told to slim down to play the small forward position more next season, and Harrington not being much of a rebounder or interior defender to begin with, there is a glaring need to pair a legitimate big man alongside the blossoming Andris Biedrins.
There are several star power forwards reported to be on the market. The biggest fish is former MVP Kevin Garnett, with All Stars Pau Gasol and Jermaine O'Neal also said to be available for the right offer.
The Warriors have a surplus of guards and swingmen to offer. Stephen Jackson is facing prison time this summer and was considered such a cancer by Indiana and the rest of the league that the Pacers were willing to take Murphleavy and their contracts in order to dump him, thus making Jackson unlikely to be seen as desirable trade bait. Baron Davis is off limits, as the point is to pair a stud big man with Baron and contend for a championship immediately (a key considering Baron's injury history and coach Don Nelson's likely departure within the next few years). Andris Biedrins is too good for such a young big man to give up, and is the only real big man that Nelson trusts enough to play, so he can't be a part of any trade. This leaves the tradeable commodities list at:
- Jason Richardson: if team's are convinced he will be totally recovered from his knee surgery, he can be shopped as a 20+ ppg scorer who is amongst the best rebounders at his position and can sell tickets as a 2 time slam dunk champion. A good team player who is willing to accept any role if he feels it will help the team win.
- Monta Ellis: In his second year out of high school, won the league's Most Improved Player award. One of the quickest players in the league, Monta offers instant offense, lots of potential, and another season with a salary around the league minimum.
- Mickael Pietrus: French Sexy is a restricted free agent, so he would have to agree to a sign and trade.
- Sarunas J: Assuming he takes his player option, he will be a $4 million expiring contract, which is a nice trade chip.
- The aforementioned Al Harrington
- Patrick O'Bryant: Last year's 7 foot lotto pick may be enticing to some.
- The 18th pick in the 2007 NBA draft, said to be one of the best in recent years.
- Future first round draft picks.
- 2nd round picks
- Adonal Foyle: A bad player, but with only 2 fully guaranteed years left on his contract (the 3rd year only has $1 million guaranteed). Makes over $17.5 million the next 2 years. But uhh, he's purportedly one heck of a human being by NBA player standards.
The ideal trade would be for Garnett. He has 2 years left on his contract, with an opt out after this coming season. Barring injury, he will not be in Minnesota for more than another year, and the Wolves would be absolutely insane to get nothing for him. Garnett makes $22 million next year so any offer for him straight up would need to get within 25% of that (roughly the $16-28 million range, probably closer to the low end so Minnesota can save money). A package of Richardson ($11 million), Sarunas Jasikevicius ($4 million), Monta ($770k), O'Bryant ($2.2 million), a second round pick this year, and next year's 1st round pick top 7 protected (protects from a major disaster season) may be enough. With Kevin McHale's history of stupidity, the Warriors may even be able to substitute this year's 1st rounder for Monta Ellis.
The Warriors would then have a starting lineup of Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Kevin Garnett, and Andris Biedrins. Either Ellis or the 18th pick, whichever they keep, would be in the rotation. If Pietrus accepts the qualifying offer and stays for a year, he's the 6th man. Depth could be a concern, but the Warriors would still have their mid and low level exceptions to spend. Free agents would want to come play in the run and gun system as well as with a title contender filled with good passers. With the right bench players, it's a lineup that could take down the Spurs.
