Originally Posted by MARCUS THOMPSON
MARCUS THOMPSON II: NBA
Warriors have surplus of swingmen
So now that the dust has cleared from Wednesday's tornado of events, it's easier to survey the Warriors' new roster.
It's clearly a better team, at least in regards to coach Don Nelson's style. It's no doubt much more feasible to work with financially, which will benefit executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin in the future. It figures to be a more entertaining team, thanks to the increase in athleticism and off-the-court story lines.
But perhaps the most intriguing aspect resulting from Wednesday's whirlwind eight-player trade with the Indiana Pacers involves a decision that still has to be made, maybe by the Feb. 22 NBA trade deadline. Don't know if you noticed, but the Warriors now have three swingmen: Jason Richardson, Mickael Pietrus and recently acquired Stephen Jackson.
All three will play some shooting guard and small forward in Nelson's system. Only problem is, Nelson doesn't need three, especially since Monta Ellis is a lock to get some time at shooting guard. What Mullin, Nelson and general manager Rod Higgins have to decide is who stays and who goes. Let's say the Warriors keep two, starting one at small forward and the other at shooting guard, with Ellis coming off the bench, or starting with Ellis and the other coming off the bench.
Which two will Mullin keep? How much will salary factor in? Will he move one by the trade deadline or wait until the offseason?
Mullin intimated Wednesday that another move could come sooner rather than later. There are already rumors about the Warriors trying to get center Nazr Mohammed from Detroit, which has been shopping Mohammed in a search of backcourt help.
"Timing-wise," Mullin said when asked if he would be active near the trade deadline. "I think it's good because it gives us a good month to get a look at this, where we are, to maybe re-evaluate that."
So, who has the advantage? One would think Richardson is a lock to stay. But Pietrus and Jackson are cheaper.
Richardson's making a lot of money ($10 million this season, $51 million in the next four years after that). What's more, Nelson -- who obviously has some pull with the front office -- hasn't gotten to see Richardson at his best. Richardson has been hurt all season, so Nellie doesn't know the JR that carried this team last season. He might not be as loyal to Richardson as are Mullin and many fans. That could be a factor. If so, Richardson's plan to return the first game after the All-Star break might be a good idea.
If Pietrus (restricted free agent after this season) and Jackson (due $21.3 million over the next three years, not counting this season) together can accomplish what Richardson can, the Warriors may be willing to move Richardson and save the money -- especially if they can work out a reasonable extension with Pietrus.
Pietrus has value to the Warriors on the market as the trade deadline nears because he has an expiring $2.5 million contract. But, Pietrus could stick around because he's played himself onto Nelson's good side.
Pietrus is younger and potentially cheaper (unless another team throws an absurd amount of money at him) than Richardson and Jackson. He's also a better defender than either.
Jackson just might be the odd man out. That he still could do some jail time works against him. As does his reputation for being immature and whiny. As does his propensity for taking bad shots and playing poor defense.
But, Jackson is tall, strong, athletic and has the ability to be dominant. Nothing brings foam to the corner of Nellie's mouth like a matchup he can exploit, and Jackson can be a nightmare for opposing shooting guards. Still, it's going to take Jackson's putting on a spectacular show this month to stick around. On the one hand, if he plays well enough to draw interest from others, it might increase his chances of being shipped.
But if he somehow convinces the Warriors he can do as much or more than Richardson for less money, or if he shows he gives more bang for the buck than Pietrus, or if he proves he can be a content force off the bench and give the Warriors the kind of depth they lack, or if no other team is willing to take him off the Warriors' hands, he could stick around.
Of course, the Warriors could choose to keep just one of the three, and rely on the cost-effective production of swingmen Matt Barnes and Kelenna Azubuike. Either way, auditions begin Saturday, against LeBron James.
