Warriors Season Wrap Up Part Deuce

So the Warriors get to prepare for the draft just a little earlier than I was anticipating or hoping for. Ok, well what concerns do they have? Obviously, everything resides and on becomes available during this year's free agency, as well as who do the W's re-sign. Taking a look forward, let's examine who could potentially leave the Warriors.

Restricted: Kelenna Azubuike (player option), Andris Biedrins, Monta Ellis, C.J. Watson
Unrestricted: Matt Barnes, Austin Croshere, Baron Davis (early termination), Patrick O'Bryant, Mickael Pietrus


First Priorities:
Obviously, Monta Ellis the Warrior's first priority this off-season. At age 22 (he turns 23 in October) he has everything going for him to be in the league a very long time. He's explosive, literally unstoppable and able to get separation to either take an uncontested jumper or drive to the net for a lay-up or possible foul.

With plenty of years ahead of him, I think he has to learn the point guard position (he's a little undersized for a shooting guard) The things I definitely see that he needs improvement on, is his passing game. Not the most accurate passer and has turned the ball over quite a few times just trying to outlet the ball. Yet, the boy can score, and he gets a lot of rebounds for his size.

The Warriors going into this next year, are going to be some $15-17 million under the cap. Mullin has been known to toss out quite a few generous contracts, but recently he's been getting a little wiser with contract negotiation. I'd expect Monta to receive probably around a $5-6 million dollars guaranteed a year, with bonus incentives. Another thing that could factor the negotiation is (Early Termination Option, Player Option, and Team Option) 5-6 million is a reasonable start for a guard who has yet to reach his full potential. The (ETO) option would allow Monta continue to work hard and improve, allowing him more power to control his next big payday. (Similar to Baron)


Andris Biedrins stands 6'11, and nearly avg'd a double-double for the entire season of '07-'08. Although he only avg'd 1.2 blocks per game, he's one of the Warrior's only inside prescence. For that reason this is easily Mullins' second priority for getting re-signed. Like I said earlier, Mullin has learned to curb his open wallet spending. I wouldn't expect Andris to receive an Adonal Foyle like contract, but would easily command a similar $5-6 million dollar contract like Monta.

At age 22 (He's even younger than Monta) this Latvian product (off topic: google his gf) has the making to be a definite low post threat. Each year, he shows signs of promise, and even led the entire NBA in FG%. Fouling has always been a problem for him, but his footwork is getting better and he's not over pursuing the ball as much. At 3.4 Orebs a game, he ranks tied for 5th in the NBA, which is actually shocking considering how many 3pt attempts the warriors take. (ie. long rebound) Putting this entire package together, you can't ignore that he has a presence on the court and teams can no longer ignore him.

Mickael Pietrus showed us in the late half of the season that he is indeed an asset and has worth to the Warriors. While I've always thought his shooting has been somewhat of a liability, especially free throws, he is without a doubt probably the Warriors' best defender. Even if Baron gets more steals than Pietrus, it probably has something to do with the fact that Baron also gets twice as much playing time. Pietrus is able to defend any position from the point guard to the small forward. As a 36.1% 3pt shooter, he isn't really killin it from outside the arc, but it isn't hurting either. After seeing the response from the rest of the league last year, I doubt he'll get paid much more than his $3.4 million that he made this year.

Kelenna Azubuike has the player option to return the Warriors, but he may try to test the free agency this year to see what offers he receives. If he does try that, and finds no takers, the Warriors would be in good shape to re-sign him for the same amount if not less. It's a double edge sword when regarding players that come off the bench. Problem for Kelenna is that this year's free agency features players from Michael Finley, Ron Artest, Grant Hill which would take most of the money from teams looking for a swing man.

C.J. Watson came from out of no where, and allowed us to drop the oft injured Troy Hudson. In his time with the warriors he provided a decent spark and toughness similar to what Earl Boykins provided in his first year with the Warriors. I think that he'll probably get a chance to a 1 year deal just to see if he pans out in being a decent back up PG. He made $210k for his time with the team, and I would expect for the full year, he'll probably bring in somewhere just under $1 mil.

My Dream:
Just looking at the team, and where their needs are, and with the amount they have under the cap, I just don't see the Warriors being that much better from where they were this past season. Having to now pay Monta and Andris their full worth hurts the Warriors in going out and landing a key free agent. While this may not be a fan favored move, I think Mullins needs to consider trading away one of his veterans. First one comes to mind is Al Harrington. With Brandan Wright developing, we've have seen his defensive capabilities and it's just a matter of time before he becomes just as effective on offense. He's faster than Al, and won't contribute to taking the 3 pointers that the Warriors live and die by.

Of course, I only would consider this should a couple of players decide to opt out of their contract and test the free agent market. Players such as Shawn Marion, Elton Brand, Jermaine O'Neal all have ETO options in their contract and would be very very desirable to the Warriors' style of play. Should the Warriors get really lucky with its .5% chance and somehow place high in the draft, I see a number of options opening up for the warriors. Possible dream scenarios for the warriors

Scenario 1: Warriors get the #1 pick in the draft. See ya later Baron Davis & Al Harrington! At $17 million a year, he's good, but he's not THAT good. I like Baron, I think he's one of the best point guards in the league. Yet to me, his shots are too inconsistent, and this is the first time in his career, he's played a full season. At age 29, it's questionable how long his knees will hold up as most point guards don't last very long into their 30's. What I do? Trade him for Marion or Brand, and draft Derrick Rose. (Yes, I think Derrick Rose, is THAT good) With both salaries matching, the trade can happen. In addition, I'd probably trade Harrington out for cap space to sign Rose and roster fillers like Pietrus and Barnes.

Rose in a Warriors' uniform? Pinch me.

Scenario 2: I don't believe the Warriors can sit back and draft at the #14 spot. This year's draft isn't ridiculously deep like in the past couple years. No matter what, I see the Warriors moving up in the draft or trading their pick away to get solid veteran. One possibility is to trade Stephen Jackson and Harrington to the Bulls for a guy like Luol Deng. Only then would keeping the #14 pick and getting someone like Darrell Arthur makes sense. I actually really like a starting 5 consisting of BD, ME, LD, BW, and AB. We'd be a better defensive team and still have a great backcourt, and a 3rd option in LD.

Scenario 3: This is the scenario that has the least probability of happening, but one can dream right? Trade Harrington, Jackson and 1st round pick in a sign/trade deal to Miami for Shawn Marion. The heat are in no man's land right now, and this would definitely give them some leadership as well as 2 draft picks for the '08 draft. In return we'd have perhaps the best 20-10 player there is that doesn't demand the ball. A starting 5 consisting of Davis, Ellis, Marion, Wright, and Biedrins... omg ridiculous. If you want to sub in Elton Brand for Marion that'd be fine with me too. The Warriors would be gambling on whether Brand can stay healthy, well that'd be a position we've been in before no?