CCT blog: Warriors Sign Monta/

Andris to Europe?

By Marcus
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 6:32 pm

If you look at the Warriors' salary situation, it's easy to see that Andris
Biedrins is the one who's going to get squeezed. Not so fast.

A source close to the Warriors' fifth-year center said European teams are
hot and heavy after Biedrins. The Latvia native is drawing strong interest
in a couple Russian clubs, according to the source, who added that teams are
willing to sign him for three to five years for what amounts to more than
$10 million a year.

This would be the best news for Biedrins' in months. The only team with
salary cap space that was reportedly interested in him, other than the
Warriors, was Philadelphia. But the 76ers spent their cap money on Elton
Brand. So leverage of a fat offer from overseas is Biedrins' best hope of
getting the money he wants from the Warriors, or anywhere in the NBA.

Biedrins' camp, which was rumored to have its sight set on the ballpark of
Chris Kaman's contract (five years, $55 million), likely won't be elated
about the offer they're likely going to get from the Warriors. I would be
shocked if it even equaled Corey Maggette's average of $10 million a year.
Just looking at the numbers, I'm thinking six years, $48 million.

With no other teams under the cap and able to offer Biedrins that kind of
money, save for a sign and trade, it would seem Biedrins' options are
limited.
The source said Biedrins' camp and Golden State have yet to formally meet.
But Biedrins figures to be next on the list now that the Warriors are out of
salary cap space and star guard Monta Ellis is signed.




Warriors Sign Monta
By Marcus

Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

The Warriors' signaled their end to shopping for other team's free agents by
locking up their own guy. Monta Ellis inked a six-year deal today worth $66
million according to an NBA insider.

The fourth-year player out of Lanier High in Mississippi is now the
highest-paid Warrior and is expected to be the starting point guard.

In article <EHbik.590$KZ.553@newsfe03.iad>,
"Robin Miller" <Not_My RemoveThis @Real_Address.com> wrote:

> A source close to the Warriors' fifth-year center said European teams are
> hot and heavy after Biedrins. The Latvia native is drawing strong interest
> in a couple Russian clubs, according to the source, who added that teams are
> willing to sign him for three to five years for what amounts to more than
> $10 million a year.

Russia is flush with cash but is there that much money in Russian pro
basketball?

Then again, a team in Greece apparently gave Josh Childress a bigger
contract than he could get over here.

Guess these other leagues are just interested in getting former NBA
players, whether or not they're any good.

Warriors need Biedrins but is he worth over $10 million a year?