http://www.nbadraft.net/2006stateofthecapgoldenstate001.asp
By Josh Redetzke
[email protected]
5/5/06
2006/07 Golden State Warriors Payroll: $64.7 million
2006/07 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $52 million
Roughly: $12.7 million over cap
The Good: There certainly isn't a lot of good news coming out of Golden State these days, but at least they know Jason Richardson will be around for a long time. J-Rich has 5 years and $61 million left on his deal and the Warriors were very happy with his play this season. Jason raised his scoring average to 23.2 ppg and he even chipped in with 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The Warriors are going to need that kind of production out of him if they want to become a better team.
Two of Golden State's rookies showed some promise towards the end of the year. After missing the first part of the season due to injury, Ike Diogu played well when given the chance and scored in double figures the final seven games of the season, which included two double-doubles. Recent high-schooler, Monta Ellis, was given a lot of playing time during the second half of the season. His best game was the season finale against Utah where he poured in 27 points with 8 boards, 6 assists, and 3 steals. In a year of disappointment, these two players gave the Warriors a little optimism heading into next season.
The Bad: Just last year, Baron Davis was in the "Good" section for injecting some life into the franchise by playing well and helping the Warriors win games. Then he shoots a dismal 39% from the field, clashes with the head coach, and misses 28 games after spraining his ankle. Not surprisingly, the team went down the tubes. Davis hasn't played more than 67 games in a season for four straight years. To make matters worse, he is still owed $15, $16, and $17 million dollars the next three seasons. Once a savior, Baron has become the Warriors' biggest headache.
Adonal Foyle's contract is still an embarrassment and will continue to be for three more years (I'm guessing the team will not be exercising the option on a fourth year for $10 million). Foyle once again averaged just 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. For that, he will get more than $26 million dollars the next three seasons. Yikes.
Mike Dunleavy could be in Foyle's company very soon. The young swingman signed a 5 year, $45 million dollar extension last summer. If you do the math, that is an average of $9 million per season for a guy whose development took a major step backward this year. Dunleavy shot a career worst 40% from the field and his scoring and rebounding dipped to 11.5 and 4.9, respectively. The Warriors need Mike to make major strides next season if they have any hope of him earning his contract.
The Future: This is a team that has a lot of talent but absolutely no chemistry or direction. Golden State was the worst shooting team in the league and of their top six scorers, only Jason Richardson shot higher than 43%. Needless to say, there weren't a lot of open jumpers or easy lay-ups for the Warriors this season.
This team will be well over the salary cap for at least three years unless they can make a trade. It will be very difficult to swap Davis or Foyle because of their contracts, and while teams would love Richardson, he is the one man the Warriors must keep. Another player that has a long, expensive contract and has interest from other teams is forward Troy Murphy. Troy has 5 years left on his deal at an average of about $10 million per year. He has averaged a double-double the past two seasons, but his numbers were down slightly this year and it appears he has reached his potential. It would be nice to keep him, but if Troy can fetch some major cap relief in a big trade, it might be worth it.
Look for Golden State to try and turn things around with a new coach next season. It might be a while before they find one that can get along with, and control, Baron Davis.
Bonus Points… for giving quality minutes to their rookies and young players at the end of the season. The team wasn't playing for anything so they might as well see what the kids can do.
Grade: D
By Josh Redetzke
[email protected]
5/5/06
2006/07 Golden State Warriors Payroll: $64.7 million
2006/07 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $52 million
Roughly: $12.7 million over cap
The Good: There certainly isn't a lot of good news coming out of Golden State these days, but at least they know Jason Richardson will be around for a long time. J-Rich has 5 years and $61 million left on his deal and the Warriors were very happy with his play this season. Jason raised his scoring average to 23.2 ppg and he even chipped in with 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The Warriors are going to need that kind of production out of him if they want to become a better team.
Two of Golden State's rookies showed some promise towards the end of the year. After missing the first part of the season due to injury, Ike Diogu played well when given the chance and scored in double figures the final seven games of the season, which included two double-doubles. Recent high-schooler, Monta Ellis, was given a lot of playing time during the second half of the season. His best game was the season finale against Utah where he poured in 27 points with 8 boards, 6 assists, and 3 steals. In a year of disappointment, these two players gave the Warriors a little optimism heading into next season.
The Bad: Just last year, Baron Davis was in the "Good" section for injecting some life into the franchise by playing well and helping the Warriors win games. Then he shoots a dismal 39% from the field, clashes with the head coach, and misses 28 games after spraining his ankle. Not surprisingly, the team went down the tubes. Davis hasn't played more than 67 games in a season for four straight years. To make matters worse, he is still owed $15, $16, and $17 million dollars the next three seasons. Once a savior, Baron has become the Warriors' biggest headache.
Adonal Foyle's contract is still an embarrassment and will continue to be for three more years (I'm guessing the team will not be exercising the option on a fourth year for $10 million). Foyle once again averaged just 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. For that, he will get more than $26 million dollars the next three seasons. Yikes.
Mike Dunleavy could be in Foyle's company very soon. The young swingman signed a 5 year, $45 million dollar extension last summer. If you do the math, that is an average of $9 million per season for a guy whose development took a major step backward this year. Dunleavy shot a career worst 40% from the field and his scoring and rebounding dipped to 11.5 and 4.9, respectively. The Warriors need Mike to make major strides next season if they have any hope of him earning his contract.
The Future: This is a team that has a lot of talent but absolutely no chemistry or direction. Golden State was the worst shooting team in the league and of their top six scorers, only Jason Richardson shot higher than 43%. Needless to say, there weren't a lot of open jumpers or easy lay-ups for the Warriors this season.
This team will be well over the salary cap for at least three years unless they can make a trade. It will be very difficult to swap Davis or Foyle because of their contracts, and while teams would love Richardson, he is the one man the Warriors must keep. Another player that has a long, expensive contract and has interest from other teams is forward Troy Murphy. Troy has 5 years left on his deal at an average of about $10 million per year. He has averaged a double-double the past two seasons, but his numbers were down slightly this year and it appears he has reached his potential. It would be nice to keep him, but if Troy can fetch some major cap relief in a big trade, it might be worth it.
Look for Golden State to try and turn things around with a new coach next season. It might be a while before they find one that can get along with, and control, Baron Davis.
Bonus Points… for giving quality minutes to their rookies and young players at the end of the season. The team wasn't playing for anything so they might as well see what the kids can do.
Grade: D
