SJMN (Lauridsen): This Time Last Year

This Time Last Year

Posted by Adam Lauridsen on July 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 pm

When the dust settles in a few days, weeks, or months, there's a long post
to be written on the twists and turns of the Warriors' past year. For now,
however, the story is still unfolding (and our roster still expanding). We
know for sure that former Net Marcus Williams is now a Warrior. In a day or
two, we should know the fate of Maurice Evans and Kelenna Azubuike.
Regardless of whether these players grow into their famed "potential," I'm
just glad we're no longer focusing on whether the bodies of Troy Hudson and
Austin Croshere will make it through the rigors of training camp and
preseason. There's no sense of getting too worked up over these
middle-to-end of the bench additions, but it's a pleasant - and potentially
significant - change that our reserves are now, without exception, on their
way up, rather than out of the NBA.

Actual transaction first, hypotheticals second:

Marcus Williams - More than any move he's made yet this off-season, Mullin
deserves credit for pulling off a classic low risk / high reward deal with
the Nets. In a July that had been filled with speculation about washed up
or overpaid point guard band-aids coming to the Warriors, the team managed
to land a player who is (1) young, (2) improving, and (3) cheap. It fits
perfectly with the Warriors current plan (if you buy that such a thing
exists). Sure, there's risk here - there are legitimate questions about his
conditioning, focus, and character - but for the price of what will likely
be a mid to late first round pick, I'll take it. We'll never know what
other deals were on the table: Memphis might have been willing to part with
one of its point guards but probably wanted to ship out a bad deal with it;
West might have been an option from the Cavs; the Sonics (RIP) might have
coughed up one of their point guards. We shouldn't let longing for the
perfect imaginary trade, however, darken our view of the one Mullin actually
pulled off. The Warriors needed someone to handle the ball, push the
offense, and provide a stronger alternative to Monta on defense. Williams,
in theory, meets all of those needs. Compared to deals that found expensive
solutions to non-existent needs (looking at you Corey), the Williams trade
is a step in the right direction.

Maurice Evans / Kelenna Azubuike - Late reports had Evans holding out for
more money and Mullin saying that the deals were either / or situations. By
Friday, we should know which player we'll have next year. I continue to be
in Kelenna's corner, even though I think Evans is a nice player. Kelenna is
younger, a better scorer, and a proven commodity in the system. Evans
brings a better three point shot, slightly better all-around defense
(although I think Kelenna could close that gap this season), and some
veteran experience. The extra money attached to Kelenna's deal is for the
upside his youth brings. I have to guess that his knee troubles have
factored into the Warriors' reluctance to match. Given the glimpses we saw
last year, however, I think he's worth the extra mil a year over Evans.
Even though Evans started for the Magic last year, I have a hard time seeing
him as more than a bit player in Nelson's system. Azubuike, on the other
hand, could be a tremendous six or seventh man given his versatility.

Regardless of what happens on Friday, it's clear that when Baron opted-out
(or maybe even before), the off-season focus became depth. We've added
younger pieces across the roster, giving us flexibility on the court and in
making trades for a bigger name later this year if the right opportunity
presents itself. Randolph and Hendrix look like they'll be contributors,
hopefully sooner rather than later. Williams has shown he can succeed at
this level. Turiaf looks like a classic energy, hustle guy (at least
against the Warriors) and fills our biggest need heading into the off-season
(a post player with size and strength). Assuming some improvement from
Ellis and Biedrins (resigned, of course) and a committed Jackson to provide
leadership, this squad might actually be pretty good and will certainly be
exciting as it matures in fits and starts. But when all is said and done,
assembling depth is only half the equation. Nelson must trust the new
additions enough to give them minutes - and must find ways to work into the
system players that don't fit his typical "mold" such as Turiaf and Hendrix.
Will he pull it off? Who knows, but this plan certainly has a better chance
of working than Hudson, Croshere, and Webber.