Tuyen's Blog

Posts for Tag: speedy claxton

Chris Paul for Stephen Curry sounds good, but...

Sources said that the Hornets have actually been trying to convince the Warriors to part with Curry since before last season's trade deadline in February.
via espn.go.com

On the surface, Chris Paul for Stephen Curry sounds like a no brainer trade. But before people think this is another Speedy Claxton for Baron Davis, there are some big pitfalls involved. First, Stephen Curry is a much better player than Speedy Claxton ever was and at 23, he's yet to reach his prime. Second, the market for Baron Davis circa 2004 was limited. Remember this was the disgruntled, slightly overweight Baron Davis who clashed with Byron Scott, a coach who had taken the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals. The Warriors knew they could sign Davis to an extension with not too many suitors out there. Chris Paul on the other had is one of the Top 3 point guards in the league. Every team with cap room will make a run at him and he knows it so why sign an extension when you can play for a year and get the gold rush in the summer of 2012? Curry for a one year rental of Paul is not a good move.

Paul has stated he would be more willing (though not guaranteed) to sign an extension with a team that acquired his buddy Tyson Chandler. The Warriors are pushing towards that and he would be an upgrade over Biedrins - some offense, good defense/rebounding, veteran leadership, playoff experience. Still, I don't see a starting 5 of Paul/Ellis/Wright/Lee/Chandler as anything more than the 4th or 5th best team in the West. Definitely an improvement but nowhere near what it would take to be a contender.

Stoudemire coming to Golden State looks unlikely

Stoudemire clarified or reasserted points that he is healthy, wants to stay in Phoenix, does not want to play for Golden State and wants a maximum-level contract extension.
via azcentral.com

The rumored Amare to the Warriors trade doesn't look too likely given his recent statements. I have nothing against Stoudemire not wanting to come to the Warriors. He's going to get paid a lot of money no matter what so he would at least like to get paid a lot of money by a team that will contend. Though having Amare will definitely help the Warriors, it won't make them a contender and having him as a 1 year rental at the price of Biedrins, Wright, and Belinelli is a steep price to pay. Biedrins may not have any big offensive skills but the Warriors aren't lacking for offense. They need him to get better at defending, rebounding, and blocking shots. Sort of like a younger and less talented version of Dikembe. Though Wright and Belinelli have not been break out players, their contracts can be voided in 2010/11, saving the W's about $5.8 million against the cap. Throw in Acie Law's team option and Speedy Claxton's expiring contract and that's about $14 million the W's will have off their books next year. Just in time to make a medium size splash in the huge free agent market next year.

Jamal Crawford to the Hawks

I posted about this potential trade earlier. It looks like it's going to happen unless Jamal Crawford doesn't love money. The Warriors get Acie Law and Speedy Claxton in return but this trade seems to be all about getting rid of Crawford. I don't expect either of them to see much playing time next year. Claxton is hurt and Acie Law has been largely a bust. The good thing is that both of their contracts come off the books next year which will clear about $7.5 million for the W's salary cap. Jamal never really fit into Nellie's system and given the logjam the W's had at the off guard position and given his large contract, he seemed the logical player to move.
 
Does this mean the W's will get a big man or a point guard? I can see either happening but only if Jordan Hill falls to #7. Otherwise, it's Brandon Jennings, Stephen Curry, or Jonny Flynn. If they get Hill, then a starting rotation would be Ellis, Magette, Jackson, Randolph, and Biedrins with CJ, Morrow, Azubuike, Hill, and Turiaf making up the second team. If they pick up a point guard, then the starting 5 remains the same but CJ now becomes expendable (he's a free agent) and the second team will be [insert new PG], Morrow, Azubuike, Wright, and Turiaf. Will see what actually happens tomorrow. Can't wait!

NBA Draft is tomorrow ... My thoughts (updated - jeez!)

UPDATE: As I hit the send button on this post, just saw that there's a trade brewing to send Jamal Crawford to the Hawks for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton.  Gotta let that marinate for a sec before I give my thoughts but I was never a big fan of Crawford and his big contract.

Before I talk about the W's, just read a great article by Bill Simmons re: the Clippers and their curse. The Native American angle is interesting and humorous.
 
Lots of goings-ons have occurred in the past 24 hours that may shift a lot of what happens in tomorrow's draft.  That's not including the Richard Jefferson trade to San Antonio which suddenly makes them much better, in my opinion. First, they get a 20 point scorer to go alongside Duncan, Parker, and Manu. Plus, they may actually sign back Bowen and Thomas if they are bought out of their contracts (highly likely). Overall, a win for the Spurs. The other big trade news was Minnesota getting the 5th pick from Washington for Foye and Miller. That gives them to 5th, 6th, 18th, and the 28th pick in the first round. Wow - if only this wasn't a weak draft. Word around the campfire is that their looking to package the 5th and 18th or the 6th and 18th to get the 2nd or 3rd pick to grab Rubio. Given that Minnesota has a lot of holes to fill, they'll do fine whether they trade up or keep those picks for themselves.
 
Regarding what the Warriors do with the 7th pick, it's really a crap shoot at this point. Some boards are projecting that the W's get Brandon Jennings or Jonny Flynn or Stephen Curry or Jrue Holiday while some see Jordan Hill falling to them. Personally, I would go for a point guard over a big man given that the W's could slot Anthony Randolph or Brandan Wright at the 4. Both seem a little underweight to play the position but there are rumors that Randolph grew an extra inch and added 20 pounds since the end of the season. That's just crazy talk. Randolph definitely has more upside than Wright and should eventually be a starter, whether at 4 or 3. I think adding Jordan Hill would mean reduced playing time for Wright and after watching him play in the Pac-10, I'm not 100% convinced he won't be just an average NBA player. If there was any depth in this draft, it seems to be at the point guard position. Jonny Flynn has the maturity and polish at PG, Stephen Curry has the jump shot, but Brandon Jennings and Jrue Holiday have the upside. Holiday has fallen as of late and Jennings definitely has maturity issues but they both are considered long term projects. I'd rather opt for the upside versus the "NBA ready" players like Flynn and Curry because I don't see either of them ever being any better than what the W's have now in CJ Watson (who's actually an above average back up PG). Why not roll the dice and go for someone who might become a Rajon Rondo? Regardless of who they get, there's not much downside. The 7th pick is far enough down that even if the player turned out to be a bust, it's not like wasting a #3 on Mike Dunleavy, Jr.