The Warriors, Disappearing Before Your Very Eyes
Written by: Ray Ratto 6/22/10
Based on last year's salaries and what mid-level second-round picks sign for these days, the Warriors did not cash in by moving Corey Maggette and the 44th pick to Milwaukee for Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric. Gadzuric's contract expires after this coming year, while Bell's has one more to run.
Suspecting the Warriors of the worst possible motives, though, is a fairly Pavlovian response in these parts, and if they're not going to make money on the deal, maybe they're just trying to take their pick at No. 6, do a quick slap-and-tickle with the media and then go home early. After all, even at the current glacial pace of sale negotiations, the current management can't care that much about Bell, Gadzuric or No. 44. Or No. 6, for that matter.
That is why people who worry that somehow this deal might harm the Warriors are kind of missing the point. The Warriors are harmed with or without any of the principals involved. It is a historically ghastly team run by short-timers, so their motivations won't be yours.
It is probably unfair to say that the current regime doesn't give a damn, but the size of the damn they do give can be questioned. Having collected a quick $2 million from Portland in the trade that dropped them to No. 44, the Warriors may be uninspired by what awaits them in the second round, or uninspired in general. Many people called this a draft that has five impact players (the Warriors, of course, are picking sixth), and have also called in a deep draft for bargain hunters.
But when the only bargain you want is a hefty price on your belongings, the draft couldn't be less interesting. In fact, it's conceivable that the Warriors may just move No. 6 and opt out altogether.
That they haven't yet means we still have to pay attention to their "plans" for the future, starting at Thursday's draft, while waiting to see what their real future will be. It's kind of like being on hold for months, afraid to hang up and lose one's place while suspecting that the call may never be answered.
In the meantime, the logo is still neato-keen.
Posted By: Ray Ratto (Email) | June 22 2010 at 03:54 PM
