**The official Warriors Offseason Thread**
- Thread starter Joey
- Start date
GS has been in need of playing some consistent D we aren't always going to outscore everyone.
Without major roster changes in Oakland, Warriors' new lead assistant coach Mike Malone will be working with two guards who haven't consistently proved willing or able to stop dribble penetration, a center who hasn't shown up for the past two seasons and little depth.
"Can you play defense with two small guards? It's a very interesting question, and I don't have a definite answer," Malone said. "Can they defend? Are they willing to defend? It could be hard to break those habits, but, if they want to win, they'll be willing."
Without major roster changes in Oakland, Warriors' new lead assistant coach Mike Malone will be working with two guards who haven't consistently proved willing or able to stop dribble penetration, a center who hasn't shown up for the past two seasons and little depth.
"Can you play defense with two small guards? It's a very interesting question, and I don't have a definite answer," Malone said. "Can they defend? Are they willing to defend? It could be hard to break those habits, but, if they want to win, they'll be willing."
Reasons Why a Monta Ellis Trade Is Inevitable:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ulation-why-a-monte-ellis-trade-is-inevitable
1- Defense
With new head coach Mark Jackson leading the way, Golden State could be in for a major change.
Monta Ellis has already requested a trade following the draft, so more team distractions could warrant a Jackson gavel.
Ellis was just outside of the top 10 in turnovers per game last season with 3.2, making him a liability for the defensive head coach. Jackson could very well decide the fate of Ellis if Warriors upper management is torn between keeping the guard or trading him away
2- Stephen Curry
Now is the time for Stephen Curry to become the focal point of the Golden State Warriors' offense.
Curry produced nearly an identical year in 2010-2011 to his rookie season, scoring 18.6 PPG and dishing out 6.0 APG.
He's become a consistent and reliable option at the one spot, sometimes creating a tug-and-pull offense when Monta Ellis is looking for the ball.
Curry has all the tools to become the Warriors' best asset, and this alone could make an Ellis trade that much easier for management, regardless of how good Ellis has been. He's missed nearly 80 games over the past three years, so a change in leadership could do wonders for Curry and Golden State.
3- Michael Jordan
He might be the most competitive guy in sports, ever, so watching his team consistently lose can't be good for his aging body.
This is why the Charlotte Bobcats, Jordan's NBA project, are serious players in trading for Monta Ellis.
While they don't have an array of players to offer Golden State, Charlotte can still pull something off.
Newly-drafted Bismack Biyombo and Kemba Walker were selected to help change the fortune of the Bobcats' repetitive eighth seed outcomes in the Eastern Conference.
Ellis would round out that rotation nicely.
While it's possible the Bobcats might have to give up one of their drafts picks, point guard D.J. Augustin could be a serious piece of the puzzle. Augustin could move Stephen Curry to a more suitable scoring position at the two spot, making Golden State's offense and playmaking abilities that much better.
Walker or Biyombo would offer huge minutes off the bench, offensively and defensively.
4- Dwight Howard
To keep Dwight Howard interested in staying with Orlando after next year, ownership needs to make a move as soon as possible.
Trading for Monta Ellis could be a bargaining piece in keeping the NBA's best center in town.
Jason Richardson could be on his way back to Golden State, and Brandon Bass could take over at power forward, moving David Lee back to center (played there when he was with the New York Knicks).
It all depends on how scared the Magic are of losing Howard. If they feel a deal has to be made soon, Ellis is a top choice to complement the Defensive Player of the Year.
5- He wants out
Monta Ellis has already requested a trade, making it clear he wants out of Golden State.
Can you blame him?
Ellis has become one of the better scoring guards in the league, and he wants to test the waters somewhere else.
The problem with that though, is he'd have to wait until the end of the 2013-2014 season to play the free agent market.
Considering he's under contract for the next few seasons, Ellis could miss out on playing with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and other superstars if he decides to wait until his deal expires.
This is why he's going to be traded before the start of the season.
And Golden State is going to give in because who wants to pay a disgruntled player $11 million to not want to be there?
6- Winning
Golden State has missed the NBA playoffs for four straight years, creating doubt for their players and elite scorers like Monta Ellis.
Not only have they failed to win 37 games in each of the last three seasons, but the Warriors won a total of 55 games from 2008-2010.
Can you blame Ellis for requesting a trade?
Now, the Warriors did address some interests via the NBA Draft this year, but can Ellis really be sold on some inexperienced rookies?
7- Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant and new head coach Mike Brown are not going to sit idly by and watch Monta Ellis go somewhere else.
It's been rumored that the L.A. Lakers have shopped forward Lamar Odom to a lot of teams, including the Golden State Warriors.
Pau Gasol and Shannon Brown were offered for Ellis, making it very difficult for the Warriors to turn the other cheek. But it seems as if team management is now ready to reopen negotiations, which should make for an interesting next couple weeks.
It's no secret the Lakers have been searching for a scorer who can complement Bryant, whether it be Steve Nash, Andre Iguodala or Ellis, so more news regarding their availabilities will just add to the kettle.
L.A. will continue to be the front-runner to land Ellis heading into the 2011-2012 season
8- Bigger Markets
It's as simple as the title—Monta Ellis would thrive in a bigger basketball market.
He'd offer any team an instant fanbase, solid on-court production and an all-around great signing.
Whether it's Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, Ellis could be on the move to a more diverse city with richer ties to NBA heritage.
There isn't much more to discuss because when it comes down to it, don't most NBA athletes take the bigger market over the smaller ones?
9- Klay Thompson
After guard Klay Thompson got drafted last week by the Golden State Warriors, Monta Ellis requested a trade.
Talk about a backstabbing move.
Right after the team seemed to have their eyes set on keeping Ellis in a Warriors jersey, they used their high draft pick to select a player who plays his position.
While Thompson should make a solid starter in coming years, he's no Monta Ellis.
But Golden State has cut their last ties with Ellis, forcing him back into a state of trade.
This could ultimately lead to the Warriors relinquishing Ellis to a conference opponent, but at least they have some young talent to replace him.
10- Bottom Line
The bottom line?
Monta Ellis just wants to be traded.
The Golden State Warriors haven't been a successful winner in the West over the past few seasons, they just drafted another shooting guard and could be convinced to test the trade market.
Ellis can easily make any team in the NBA a better one for acquiring him, resulting in an all-out auction between top teams around the league.
He could land in Los Angeles with Kobe, or he could land in New York York with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.
Either way, Ellis should be on the move in due time, allowing the Golden State Warriors to cash in on some complementary talent.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ulation-why-a-monte-ellis-trade-is-inevitable
1- Defense
With new head coach Mark Jackson leading the way, Golden State could be in for a major change.
Monta Ellis has already requested a trade following the draft, so more team distractions could warrant a Jackson gavel.
Ellis was just outside of the top 10 in turnovers per game last season with 3.2, making him a liability for the defensive head coach. Jackson could very well decide the fate of Ellis if Warriors upper management is torn between keeping the guard or trading him away
2- Stephen Curry
Now is the time for Stephen Curry to become the focal point of the Golden State Warriors' offense.
Curry produced nearly an identical year in 2010-2011 to his rookie season, scoring 18.6 PPG and dishing out 6.0 APG.
He's become a consistent and reliable option at the one spot, sometimes creating a tug-and-pull offense when Monta Ellis is looking for the ball.
Curry has all the tools to become the Warriors' best asset, and this alone could make an Ellis trade that much easier for management, regardless of how good Ellis has been. He's missed nearly 80 games over the past three years, so a change in leadership could do wonders for Curry and Golden State.
3- Michael Jordan
He might be the most competitive guy in sports, ever, so watching his team consistently lose can't be good for his aging body.
This is why the Charlotte Bobcats, Jordan's NBA project, are serious players in trading for Monta Ellis.
While they don't have an array of players to offer Golden State, Charlotte can still pull something off.
Newly-drafted Bismack Biyombo and Kemba Walker were selected to help change the fortune of the Bobcats' repetitive eighth seed outcomes in the Eastern Conference.
Ellis would round out that rotation nicely.
While it's possible the Bobcats might have to give up one of their drafts picks, point guard D.J. Augustin could be a serious piece of the puzzle. Augustin could move Stephen Curry to a more suitable scoring position at the two spot, making Golden State's offense and playmaking abilities that much better.
Walker or Biyombo would offer huge minutes off the bench, offensively and defensively.
4- Dwight Howard
To keep Dwight Howard interested in staying with Orlando after next year, ownership needs to make a move as soon as possible.
Trading for Monta Ellis could be a bargaining piece in keeping the NBA's best center in town.
Jason Richardson could be on his way back to Golden State, and Brandon Bass could take over at power forward, moving David Lee back to center (played there when he was with the New York Knicks).
It all depends on how scared the Magic are of losing Howard. If they feel a deal has to be made soon, Ellis is a top choice to complement the Defensive Player of the Year.
5- He wants out
Monta Ellis has already requested a trade, making it clear he wants out of Golden State.
Can you blame him?
Ellis has become one of the better scoring guards in the league, and he wants to test the waters somewhere else.
The problem with that though, is he'd have to wait until the end of the 2013-2014 season to play the free agent market.
Considering he's under contract for the next few seasons, Ellis could miss out on playing with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and other superstars if he decides to wait until his deal expires.
This is why he's going to be traded before the start of the season.
And Golden State is going to give in because who wants to pay a disgruntled player $11 million to not want to be there?
6- Winning
Golden State has missed the NBA playoffs for four straight years, creating doubt for their players and elite scorers like Monta Ellis.
Not only have they failed to win 37 games in each of the last three seasons, but the Warriors won a total of 55 games from 2008-2010.
Can you blame Ellis for requesting a trade?
Now, the Warriors did address some interests via the NBA Draft this year, but can Ellis really be sold on some inexperienced rookies?
7- Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant and new head coach Mike Brown are not going to sit idly by and watch Monta Ellis go somewhere else.
It's been rumored that the L.A. Lakers have shopped forward Lamar Odom to a lot of teams, including the Golden State Warriors.
Pau Gasol and Shannon Brown were offered for Ellis, making it very difficult for the Warriors to turn the other cheek. But it seems as if team management is now ready to reopen negotiations, which should make for an interesting next couple weeks.
It's no secret the Lakers have been searching for a scorer who can complement Bryant, whether it be Steve Nash, Andre Iguodala or Ellis, so more news regarding their availabilities will just add to the kettle.
L.A. will continue to be the front-runner to land Ellis heading into the 2011-2012 season
8- Bigger Markets
It's as simple as the title—Monta Ellis would thrive in a bigger basketball market.
He'd offer any team an instant fanbase, solid on-court production and an all-around great signing.
Whether it's Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, Ellis could be on the move to a more diverse city with richer ties to NBA heritage.
There isn't much more to discuss because when it comes down to it, don't most NBA athletes take the bigger market over the smaller ones?
9- Klay Thompson
After guard Klay Thompson got drafted last week by the Golden State Warriors, Monta Ellis requested a trade.
Talk about a backstabbing move.
Right after the team seemed to have their eyes set on keeping Ellis in a Warriors jersey, they used their high draft pick to select a player who plays his position.
While Thompson should make a solid starter in coming years, he's no Monta Ellis.
But Golden State has cut their last ties with Ellis, forcing him back into a state of trade.
This could ultimately lead to the Warriors relinquishing Ellis to a conference opponent, but at least they have some young talent to replace him.
10- Bottom Line
The bottom line?
Monta Ellis just wants to be traded.
The Golden State Warriors haven't been a successful winner in the West over the past few seasons, they just drafted another shooting guard and could be convinced to test the trade market.
Ellis can easily make any team in the NBA a better one for acquiring him, resulting in an all-out auction between top teams around the league.
He could land in Los Angeles with Kobe, or he could land in New York York with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.
Either way, Ellis should be on the move in due time, allowing the Golden State Warriors to cash in on some complementary talent.
The Golden State Warriors are again shooting down Monta Ellis trade rumors.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob told the San Jose Mercury News that the Ellis isn't going anywhere.
“I’ve assured Monta that we are in fact not trying to trade him,” Lacob said. “We really value him and we want him here. I think he’s a tremendous player and a unique asset. And it would take a helluva deal that really made sense for the organization as a whole in order for us to trade Monta Ellis.”
Warriors owner Joe Lacob told the San Jose Mercury News that the Ellis isn't going anywhere.
“I’ve assured Monta that we are in fact not trying to trade him,” Lacob said. “We really value him and we want him here. I think he’s a tremendous player and a unique asset. And it would take a helluva deal that really made sense for the organization as a whole in order for us to trade Monta Ellis.”
