THE OFFICIAL GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 2009 OFFSEASON THREAD
- Thread starter M.o.B
- Start date
Warriors’ Randolph looks long on talent
By Marc Spears, Yahoo! Sports
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – As Anthony Randolph(notes) tried to squeeze his long, lean frame into a booth at P.F. Chang’s this week, his fellow restaurant patrons gave him little more than a he-must-play-basketball glance. A week removed from his 20th birthday, Randolph can easily be mistaken for a local college player. One season with the Golden State Warriors has hardly made him a recognizable face, even in the Bay Area.
But if Randolph’s recent performance in the NBA’s summer league is any indication, the locals will know him well soon enough.
Randolph averaged a Vegas summer league record 26.8 points, along with 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.3 steals. In a game against the Chicago Bulls, he scored 42 points. Los Angeles Clippers rookie forward Blake Griffin(notes) was named the summer league’s Most Outstanding Player, but it was Randolph who had most league executives and scouts buzzing with his quick first step, fearless dunks, improved jump shot and all-around versatility.
“He’s the real deal,” gushed one Western Conference scout. “He reminds me of Lamar Odom(notes).”
Randolph is generating equal parts praise and regret from rival teams, many of who passed him over in last summer’s draft. Though he fell to the Warriors at No. 14, Randolph now looks capable of joining Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose(notes) as one of the top two elite players of the 2008 class.
Randolph’s improvement over the second half of last season had already begun to open eyes, including several pairs on his own team. Warriors coach Don Nelson was hard on Randolph, whose work ethic was openly questioned to the point that rival teams said Golden State made him available in trade talks.
“In January, they would’ve given him away for a bag of balls,” one West executive said. “By March, you couldn’t touch him.”
After averaging 7.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.17 blocks last season, Randolph was back in the gym just three weeks after the Warriors failed to make the playoffs. He worked on his shooting and ball-handling, and just as importantly, spent considerable time in the weight room.
“He almost died doing that,” Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart said of Randolph’s workouts. “I went to watch him at one of the local colleges and he had nothing in the tank.”
The hard work has paid off: Randolph, who was listed as 6-foot-10, 205 pounds last season, has since added about 10 pounds of muscle and is said to have also grown an inch. Warriors officials think there’s room for both his frame – and game – to expand.
“I don’t know where the ceiling is for Anthony, but it’s awfully high,” Warriors general manager Larry Riley said. “… He’s probably about two years away from being as good as he can be.”
Scouts think Randolph’s all-around skills will enable him to play like a point forward in the Warriors’ go-go-go offense. As one East GM said, “he’s perfect for Nellie’s system.”
While it’s not etched in stone until Nelson says so, Randolph is expected to start for the Warriors at power forward next season. Warriors officials have downplayed their interest in Utah’s Carlos Boozer(notes), and while the team did have conversations with the Phoenix Suns about acquiring Amare Stoudemire, those talks have since cooled. For now, the Warriors seem intent on giving Randolph every opportunity to prove he is ready to start.
Randolph, in turn, has been wise to keep his summer-league success in perspective. That 42-point performance? “I was mad after the game,” he said, “because I only grabbed three rebounds.”
Randolph is well aware that few summer heroes become legends of the fall. “Von Wafer(notes) and Marcus Banks(notes), they are all-right players, but not All-Stars,” Randolph said of Wafer and Banks, both of whom had previously scored 42 points in a summer league game. “It doesn’t really mean you’re going to have a great season.”
USA Basketball officials, however, were impressed enough. They added Randolph to this week’s minicamp in Las Vegas, where some of the NBA’s top young players hope to compete for roster spots on the national team for the 2010 World Championships in Turkey. Randolph will face long odds in making the cut for next summer or for the 2012 Olympics. Still, he’s determined to use the minicamp to not only prove he should some day wear the red, white and blue, but also show that his summer league dominance wasn’t a fluke.
“You have to respect everybody, but at the same time you have to go at them,” Randolph said. “They’re blocking my path to where I want to go to. I look at them as a wall that I want to go through.”
If it’s stardom that Randolph hopes to reach, he’s already made some modest progress. As he walked out of P.F. Chang’s after dinner, a young woman shyly approached him and said, “Hi, Anthony.” Soon, she had gathered her girls to take a photo with him.
Randolph smiled. Eating his shrimp dumplings in peace might not be so easy next summer.
By Marc Spears, Yahoo! Sports
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – As Anthony Randolph(notes) tried to squeeze his long, lean frame into a booth at P.F. Chang’s this week, his fellow restaurant patrons gave him little more than a he-must-play-basketball glance. A week removed from his 20th birthday, Randolph can easily be mistaken for a local college player. One season with the Golden State Warriors has hardly made him a recognizable face, even in the Bay Area.
But if Randolph’s recent performance in the NBA’s summer league is any indication, the locals will know him well soon enough.
Randolph averaged a Vegas summer league record 26.8 points, along with 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.3 steals. In a game against the Chicago Bulls, he scored 42 points. Los Angeles Clippers rookie forward Blake Griffin(notes) was named the summer league’s Most Outstanding Player, but it was Randolph who had most league executives and scouts buzzing with his quick first step, fearless dunks, improved jump shot and all-around versatility.
“He’s the real deal,” gushed one Western Conference scout. “He reminds me of Lamar Odom(notes).”
Randolph is generating equal parts praise and regret from rival teams, many of who passed him over in last summer’s draft. Though he fell to the Warriors at No. 14, Randolph now looks capable of joining Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose(notes) as one of the top two elite players of the 2008 class.
Randolph’s improvement over the second half of last season had already begun to open eyes, including several pairs on his own team. Warriors coach Don Nelson was hard on Randolph, whose work ethic was openly questioned to the point that rival teams said Golden State made him available in trade talks.
“In January, they would’ve given him away for a bag of balls,” one West executive said. “By March, you couldn’t touch him.”
After averaging 7.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.17 blocks last season, Randolph was back in the gym just three weeks after the Warriors failed to make the playoffs. He worked on his shooting and ball-handling, and just as importantly, spent considerable time in the weight room.
“He almost died doing that,” Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart said of Randolph’s workouts. “I went to watch him at one of the local colleges and he had nothing in the tank.”
The hard work has paid off: Randolph, who was listed as 6-foot-10, 205 pounds last season, has since added about 10 pounds of muscle and is said to have also grown an inch. Warriors officials think there’s room for both his frame – and game – to expand.
“I don’t know where the ceiling is for Anthony, but it’s awfully high,” Warriors general manager Larry Riley said. “… He’s probably about two years away from being as good as he can be.”
Scouts think Randolph’s all-around skills will enable him to play like a point forward in the Warriors’ go-go-go offense. As one East GM said, “he’s perfect for Nellie’s system.”
While it’s not etched in stone until Nelson says so, Randolph is expected to start for the Warriors at power forward next season. Warriors officials have downplayed their interest in Utah’s Carlos Boozer(notes), and while the team did have conversations with the Phoenix Suns about acquiring Amare Stoudemire, those talks have since cooled. For now, the Warriors seem intent on giving Randolph every opportunity to prove he is ready to start.
Randolph, in turn, has been wise to keep his summer-league success in perspective. That 42-point performance? “I was mad after the game,” he said, “because I only grabbed three rebounds.”
Randolph is well aware that few summer heroes become legends of the fall. “Von Wafer(notes) and Marcus Banks(notes), they are all-right players, but not All-Stars,” Randolph said of Wafer and Banks, both of whom had previously scored 42 points in a summer league game. “It doesn’t really mean you’re going to have a great season.”
USA Basketball officials, however, were impressed enough. They added Randolph to this week’s minicamp in Las Vegas, where some of the NBA’s top young players hope to compete for roster spots on the national team for the 2010 World Championships in Turkey. Randolph will face long odds in making the cut for next summer or for the 2012 Olympics. Still, he’s determined to use the minicamp to not only prove he should some day wear the red, white and blue, but also show that his summer league dominance wasn’t a fluke.
“You have to respect everybody, but at the same time you have to go at them,” Randolph said. “They’re blocking my path to where I want to go to. I look at them as a wall that I want to go through.”
If it’s stardom that Randolph hopes to reach, he’s already made some modest progress. As he walked out of P.F. Chang’s after dinner, a young woman shyly approached him and said, “Hi, Anthony.” Soon, she had gathered her girls to take a photo with him.
Randolph smiled. Eating his shrimp dumplings in peace might not be so easy next summer.
Yup, that Yahoo article on Randolph is on the front page of the entire sports section !
Title reads: Star Power?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...mc-randolphwarriors072109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Title reads: Star Power?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...mc-randolphwarriors072109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/25/players-clamoring-play-red-white-and-blue-team-usa/
Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski and Kobe Bryant and LeBron James made wearing the red, white and blue cool again, and it helped that those colors have been trimmed in gold since August.
Colangelo assembled the U.S. national basketball squad, coached by Duke boss Mike Krzyzewski, that defeated Spain for the title at the Olympics last year in Beijing.
Now, onto Phase II of the program, two days of drills at Valley High to indoctrinate new players into the system that will be capped tonight at 8 in a Blue-White Showcase scrimmage at the Thomas & Mack Center. Tickets are $13 to $78.
It took a few years, but young elite players are now clamoring to be a part of Team USA and play with Bryant, James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.
“I’ll do anything they want me to, dive ... ” said Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose. “Whatever they want, I’m willing to do to be on the team.”
A team dinner Wednesday night at the Wynn was capped by a highlight show of Team USA’s glory run to gold in China, which made this young group of wannabes salivate even more.
Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo stopped short of saying he’d sweep the court before and after every practice. Or did he include that task, too?
“Whatever it takes,” he said. “I’m trying to get a job, man. I’ll dive on the floor, wipe the sweat off the floor, whatever I got to do. I have an open mind and I’m willing to learn.
“To have an opportunity to wear USA across the jersey on your chest and compete with these guys and get better with them this week has been unique for all of us.”
If tonight’s scrimmage is anything like the past two days at Valley, look for bodies to often tumble like bowling pins in the lane and under the rim.
Look for some poor perimeter shooting, questionable touches at the free-throw line, an array of electric finishes and a strong all-around performance by Kevin Durant.
When Colangelo, the chairman of USA Basketball, and Krzyzewski compare notes about this mini-camp, both will include Durant in the first line of their status reports.
The 6-foot-11 guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder started out strong Thursday afternoon at Valley High and didn’t let up.
In three 10-minute scrimmages Friday, Durant led everyone with an unofficial 15 points, on 5-for-9 shooting. He made all five of his attempts from the line.
“He has had two outstanding seasons in the NBA,” Colangelo said. “He’s determined that he’s a player to be reckoned with. He has separated himself, and that shouldn’t be a surprise. He’s showing a lot more, overall, in his game and leadership, and I like that.”
Krzyzewski also raved about Durant.
“He’s a world-class talent with a world-class attitude,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s a very unique players, a perimeter player at 6-11. I was impressed with his defense (Thursday).
“Going forward, we want length. We may not have bulk, but if we have length that’s a good thing. He gives us good length.”
Durant is one of five invitees who haven’t yet celebrated their 21st birthdays, so this trip to Las Vegas has been all about business.
“Tonight’s scrimmage should be a lot of fun,” Durant said. “We’re going to go out and get better, put it that way, and we’ll all be able to say we wore that U-S-A jersey at least once.”
Durant can look forward to a few more occasions to represent the U.S. Who will join him is a crapshoot that will be answered in the next two to three months.
It’s likely that Colangelo and Krzyzewski think highly of Portland center Greg Oden, and Mayo and Rose, but none of them were spectacular in Friday’s three scrimmages.
Oden scored two baskets and had five points, but that production might be inconsequential for how Krzyzewski would like to use the 7-footer.
Before Friday’s practice, Krzyzewski told Oden he liked the center’s half-court presence inside, and his main areas of concern are defending and rebounds.
“He said that’s what he’ll try to provide,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s one of the guys I’m looking forward to watching.”
Rose had seven points, on 3-for-8 shooting, and Mayo went for six points, hitting two of his six attempts. Krzyzewski likes their height (Rose goes 6-3; Mayo 6-4) and stressed distribution.
“Internationally, it’s a much more physical game,” Krzyzewski said. “Especially on the ball, you can get chucked a lot. You have to be strong enough, physically, with the ball to get through that and still run.
“Both can really defend, and they’re pass-first point guards. When you have all these guys, like Dwyane and Kobe and LeBron and Carmelo, you want guys to make sure they pass the ball to those guys.”
Those who impressed Friday include Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook (13 points, 5-of-6 shooting), Memphis forward Rudy Gay (11 points, 5-of-8 shooting) and Minnesota forward Kevin Love (11 points, 4-of-6 shooting).
JaVale McGee, the UNR center now playing for the Washington Wizards, swatted a few shots – even 21 feet from the rim – and finished with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
At the other end? NBA Summer League sensation Anthony Randolph missed his first six shots and finished with four points on 2-for-9 shooting. He missed both of his free throws.
Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith went 1-for-9 from the field, and McGee launched an air ball from the free-throw line.
The sweetest play might have been Kevin Love’s give-and-go to D.J. Augustin, with a twist. When Augustin neared the rim, he flipped it behind his head to Love, who sailed in for an easy bucket.
However, there wasn’t one player who contributed to all three Friday scrimmage victories.
They didn’t give each other much breathing room, and that figures to continue tonight at the Mack.
When the senior team reconvenes next year in Las Vegas to prepare for the World Championship in Turkey, maybe only two or three of these mini-campers will get invitations.
“If there were no spots or 12 spots available, I think the group of guys brought in this week are competitors,” Mayo said. “We work out year-round to stay in shape to better our games, better our teams.
“I think if you brought us into an open gym and there was nothing to play for but the victory, I think the same thing would go on. There’s high intensity and we want to compete and win. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski and Kobe Bryant and LeBron James made wearing the red, white and blue cool again, and it helped that those colors have been trimmed in gold since August.
Colangelo assembled the U.S. national basketball squad, coached by Duke boss Mike Krzyzewski, that defeated Spain for the title at the Olympics last year in Beijing.
Now, onto Phase II of the program, two days of drills at Valley High to indoctrinate new players into the system that will be capped tonight at 8 in a Blue-White Showcase scrimmage at the Thomas & Mack Center. Tickets are $13 to $78.
It took a few years, but young elite players are now clamoring to be a part of Team USA and play with Bryant, James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.
“I’ll do anything they want me to, dive ... ” said Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose. “Whatever they want, I’m willing to do to be on the team.”
A team dinner Wednesday night at the Wynn was capped by a highlight show of Team USA’s glory run to gold in China, which made this young group of wannabes salivate even more.
Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo stopped short of saying he’d sweep the court before and after every practice. Or did he include that task, too?
“Whatever it takes,” he said. “I’m trying to get a job, man. I’ll dive on the floor, wipe the sweat off the floor, whatever I got to do. I have an open mind and I’m willing to learn.
“To have an opportunity to wear USA across the jersey on your chest and compete with these guys and get better with them this week has been unique for all of us.”
If tonight’s scrimmage is anything like the past two days at Valley, look for bodies to often tumble like bowling pins in the lane and under the rim.
Look for some poor perimeter shooting, questionable touches at the free-throw line, an array of electric finishes and a strong all-around performance by Kevin Durant.
When Colangelo, the chairman of USA Basketball, and Krzyzewski compare notes about this mini-camp, both will include Durant in the first line of their status reports.
The 6-foot-11 guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder started out strong Thursday afternoon at Valley High and didn’t let up.
In three 10-minute scrimmages Friday, Durant led everyone with an unofficial 15 points, on 5-for-9 shooting. He made all five of his attempts from the line.
“He has had two outstanding seasons in the NBA,” Colangelo said. “He’s determined that he’s a player to be reckoned with. He has separated himself, and that shouldn’t be a surprise. He’s showing a lot more, overall, in his game and leadership, and I like that.”
Krzyzewski also raved about Durant.
“He’s a world-class talent with a world-class attitude,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s a very unique players, a perimeter player at 6-11. I was impressed with his defense (Thursday).
“Going forward, we want length. We may not have bulk, but if we have length that’s a good thing. He gives us good length.”
Durant is one of five invitees who haven’t yet celebrated their 21st birthdays, so this trip to Las Vegas has been all about business.
“Tonight’s scrimmage should be a lot of fun,” Durant said. “We’re going to go out and get better, put it that way, and we’ll all be able to say we wore that U-S-A jersey at least once.”
Durant can look forward to a few more occasions to represent the U.S. Who will join him is a crapshoot that will be answered in the next two to three months.
It’s likely that Colangelo and Krzyzewski think highly of Portland center Greg Oden, and Mayo and Rose, but none of them were spectacular in Friday’s three scrimmages.
Oden scored two baskets and had five points, but that production might be inconsequential for how Krzyzewski would like to use the 7-footer.
Before Friday’s practice, Krzyzewski told Oden he liked the center’s half-court presence inside, and his main areas of concern are defending and rebounds.
“He said that’s what he’ll try to provide,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s one of the guys I’m looking forward to watching.”
Rose had seven points, on 3-for-8 shooting, and Mayo went for six points, hitting two of his six attempts. Krzyzewski likes their height (Rose goes 6-3; Mayo 6-4) and stressed distribution.
“Internationally, it’s a much more physical game,” Krzyzewski said. “Especially on the ball, you can get chucked a lot. You have to be strong enough, physically, with the ball to get through that and still run.
“Both can really defend, and they’re pass-first point guards. When you have all these guys, like Dwyane and Kobe and LeBron and Carmelo, you want guys to make sure they pass the ball to those guys.”
Those who impressed Friday include Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook (13 points, 5-of-6 shooting), Memphis forward Rudy Gay (11 points, 5-of-8 shooting) and Minnesota forward Kevin Love (11 points, 4-of-6 shooting).
JaVale McGee, the UNR center now playing for the Washington Wizards, swatted a few shots – even 21 feet from the rim – and finished with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
At the other end? NBA Summer League sensation Anthony Randolph missed his first six shots and finished with four points on 2-for-9 shooting. He missed both of his free throws.
Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith went 1-for-9 from the field, and McGee launched an air ball from the free-throw line.
The sweetest play might have been Kevin Love’s give-and-go to D.J. Augustin, with a twist. When Augustin neared the rim, he flipped it behind his head to Love, who sailed in for an easy bucket.
However, there wasn’t one player who contributed to all three Friday scrimmage victories.
They didn’t give each other much breathing room, and that figures to continue tonight at the Mack.
When the senior team reconvenes next year in Las Vegas to prepare for the World Championship in Turkey, maybe only two or three of these mini-campers will get invitations.
“If there were no spots or 12 spots available, I think the group of guys brought in this week are competitors,” Mayo said. “We work out year-round to stay in shape to better our games, better our teams.
“I think if you brought us into an open gym and there was nothing to play for but the victory, I think the same thing would go on. There’s high intensity and we want to compete and win. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
If it wasn't for CJ Watson, the Warriors would have had to give Marcus Williams minutes :lick: ... Give the kid a break. He worked hard to get noticed, got put on, showcased what he can do, and is looking to expand his career. Getting legit backup minutes in Orlando (a championship contender) is better than potentially playing 3rd fiddle to Monta Ellis and a rookie on a team that may or may not make the playoffs. It's the business of basketball.
Maybe ... just maybe ... CJ knows something about the Warriors organization that none of us know considering he actually played there. They'd trade him in a second if they felt it was the right move for them, so why isn't it ok for him to do what he feels is the right thing for him?
Maybe ... just maybe ... CJ knows something about the Warriors organization that none of us know considering he actually played there. They'd trade him in a second if they felt it was the right move for them, so why isn't it ok for him to do what he feels is the right thing for him?
I dont blame watson for wanting to go to a contender. On the warriors, the best he could be at the start of the season is a 3rd string pg behind ellis, and curry. On the magic he would be backing up nelson, playing with howard, carter, and lewis.
Plus the warriors front office is a wreck, and don nelson doesn't even coach anymore
Plus the warriors front office is a wreck, and don nelson doesn't even coach anymore
it is a business after all, if players havent realized this by now then i dont know what to say....
would you give away something you could trade? I wouldn't.
its like you have a fat sack of weed (youre on probation, cant smoke) you can give it away, sell it, or trade it for some pills or something else of equal value.
would you give away something you could trade? I wouldn't.
its like you have a fat sack of weed (youre on probation, cant smoke) you can give it away, sell it, or trade it for some pills or something else of equal value.
supposedly orlando already gave up all its remaining cap space to sign matt barnes. so warriors will probably end up keeping him for cheap, unless a sign and trade can be worked out. jamaal tinsley is out there now, so is white chocolate.
i say we keep watson and trade him at the deadline for a first round pick from a contender or early 2nd round pick from a scrub team.
i say we keep watson and trade him at the deadline for a first round pick from a contender or early 2nd round pick from a scrub team.
ummm lets use that story with nba values on them. the weed you got is worth x amount of dollars but you have to pay it 2 million to keep it chronic and useable. but since you already have 4 other sacks of weed (ellis/curry/law/claxton) all costing a lot more to keep that weed good. is it worth it to keep money invested in that weed or to just let it go and keep what you got. or to trade it for something that might not be good at all aka collecting junk instead of the good weed you got with him.
By Marcus Thompson
Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 7:05 pm in Uncategorized.
So, I talked to Speedy Claxton today. He has every intention of coming to training camp and trying to earn a spot. He said he is healthy and ready to go after playing just two games the last two years.
Why does this matter? The Warriors have to move someone now.
With Speedy injured, insurance would have covered 80 percent of the $5.2 million he’s due. Because of that, they certainly would have been content with stashing a guy on the roster.
But now that he is declaring himself healthy and ready to play, that is not an option. So that gives the Warriors five point guards - four under contract: Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, Speedy Claxton, Acie Law and C.J. Watson, who is a restricted free agent.
Now, the Watson situation makes this super interesting. As Matt Steinmetz correctly pointed out, Orlando gave it’s last cap space to Matt Barnes because they were certain the Warriors would match the offer sheet they had ready for Watson.
So the only way Orlando can get Watson is via sign and trade (or sign C.J. to the minimum, which he won’t take). But, according to a source, the Warriors aren’t cooperating on the sign-and-trade. Here’s why, based on what I’ve heard: the Warriors would like to keep Watson at the right price. And it looks like they can.
I hadn’t heard the contract offer Steinmetz reported, but if it’s correct, which I don’t doubt, that is a good price for the Warriors. (UPDATE: I confirmed Warriors did offer Watson three years, $4.5M) Watson, at $1.5M a year, is more valuable to the Warriors on the roster. Claxton and Acie Law, who combined are nearly $7.5 million of expiring contracts, are more valuable to the Warriors on the trade market.
I think Watson would like to land 3 for $6M (and that may be match worthy from the Warriors’ standpoint). But anything less, I think the Warriors match and commit to moving Claxton and Law. With Watson in tow, they have a familiar option to turn to if Steph Curry needs time to develop.
If they sign-and-trade for Watson, then either Claxton or Law would be the leading candidate for the third point guard. Members of the organization I’ve talked to aren’t too keen on either option - Claxton because of his injury history and Law because they don’t think he’s any good.
If Watson - who I am sure doesn’t want to be the third point guard for any team - manages to land elsewhere, I think the Warriors still look to move Claxton and Law and bring in a different No. 3 PG.
Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 7:05 pm in Uncategorized.
So, I talked to Speedy Claxton today. He has every intention of coming to training camp and trying to earn a spot. He said he is healthy and ready to go after playing just two games the last two years.
Why does this matter? The Warriors have to move someone now.
With Speedy injured, insurance would have covered 80 percent of the $5.2 million he’s due. Because of that, they certainly would have been content with stashing a guy on the roster.
But now that he is declaring himself healthy and ready to play, that is not an option. So that gives the Warriors five point guards - four under contract: Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, Speedy Claxton, Acie Law and C.J. Watson, who is a restricted free agent.
Now, the Watson situation makes this super interesting. As Matt Steinmetz correctly pointed out, Orlando gave it’s last cap space to Matt Barnes because they were certain the Warriors would match the offer sheet they had ready for Watson.
So the only way Orlando can get Watson is via sign and trade (or sign C.J. to the minimum, which he won’t take). But, according to a source, the Warriors aren’t cooperating on the sign-and-trade. Here’s why, based on what I’ve heard: the Warriors would like to keep Watson at the right price. And it looks like they can.
I hadn’t heard the contract offer Steinmetz reported, but if it’s correct, which I don’t doubt, that is a good price for the Warriors. (UPDATE: I confirmed Warriors did offer Watson three years, $4.5M) Watson, at $1.5M a year, is more valuable to the Warriors on the roster. Claxton and Acie Law, who combined are nearly $7.5 million of expiring contracts, are more valuable to the Warriors on the trade market.
I think Watson would like to land 3 for $6M (and that may be match worthy from the Warriors’ standpoint). But anything less, I think the Warriors match and commit to moving Claxton and Law. With Watson in tow, they have a familiar option to turn to if Steph Curry needs time to develop.
If they sign-and-trade for Watson, then either Claxton or Law would be the leading candidate for the third point guard. Members of the organization I’ve talked to aren’t too keen on either option - Claxton because of his injury history and Law because they don’t think he’s any good.
If Watson - who I am sure doesn’t want to be the third point guard for any team - manages to land elsewhere, I think the Warriors still look to move Claxton and Law and bring in a different No. 3 PG.