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The Golden State Warriors begin the offseason with the number six pick in the 2010 NBA draft, no room in terms of cap space, and few expiring contracts to move. Sales numbers for Warriors tickets for the 2010-2011 season at the Oracle Arena are certainly in jeopardy at this juncture. The team needs to make some sort of a major move to make this more than the league’s version of the Harlem Globetrotters.
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About The Golden State Warriors
The movement began with a financially motivated trade, not a basketball-motivated trade. The Warriors traded the terrible contract of Corey Maggette and a second round draft pick to Milwaukee for center Dan Gadzuric and guard Charlie Bell. The move saves Golden State $15 million over the next three seasons and gives them another expiring contract in Gadzuric to move if they want to actually add talent through a trade. Bell could replace Raja Bell as the respected defender in a backcourt hell bent on breaking scoring records, both scored and allowed.
Golden State’s willingness to trade a very good scorer who was really just overpaid signals an exciting development for the Warriors. The mock drafts concurred in their assessment, predicting Nelson and Co. to take Baylor power forward Ekpe Udoh with the sixth pick.
Udoh has an incredible 7-5 wingspan despite being just 6-10, making him a natural shotblocker despite his lack of elite athleticism. His offensive game is raw and he is not as strong as other NBA power forwards, but he is a natural rebounding forward, especially on the offensive glass. This is a terrific skill the Warriors need since they are a jump shooting team. Of course, Udoh can hit an open mid-range shot, so he fits the Nelson criteria.
Udoh will be battling Tolliver for a starting spot. Udoh will likely spend at least the first half of the season on the bench as he adjusts to the speed of the game and learns to cut down on personal fouls.
This draft pick still leaves a whole at small forward, but this spot should be filled by Vladimir Radmanovic when he picks up his player option. Radmanovic does little to help on defense, but will help space the court to allow Curry and Ellis free reign inside the circle. The other option is to start Kelenna Azubuike, assuming he picks up his player option. Azubuike could be the option when Nelson wants to run. He also is a little bit better of a defender than Radmanovic. Actually, interestingly enough, Radmanovic could be more effective against quicker perimeter forwards and the smaller Azubuike is better against players in the post. Then again, this is a Don Nelson team where up is down and right side up is sideways.
The Warriors have a mid-level exception to use if they do not pull off any more trades this summer. This seems like a cliché to say, but the Warriors need either more size or a backup point guard. I give the edge to a backup point guard, but basketball GM’s are size queens, so this will be a battle between the head coach and the front office.
In May of 2009, the Golden State Warriors, much to the satisfaction of their ticket holders, decided to not renew the GM contract of Chris Mullen. Taking over the open General Manager position now is Larry Riley who turned and drafted Stephen Curry with the teams 7th lottery pick. Jamal Crawford and Marco Belinelli were both traded and the team acquired Acie Law, Speedy Claxton and Devean George. Perhaps this will be the much needed boost that this team needs to get back to winning and making the Golden State Warrior tickets worth their weight in gold.
