Saturday, July 7, 2012

WARRIORS WORKS FREE AGENT WISH LIST


The Golden State Warriors appear to be exercising patience this free agency period after making a big splash in last month's draft. They came away with three quality players in Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, and Draymond Green. There are only three more roster spots open, one of them likely reserved for a re-signed Brandon Rush.

Current Roster
PG: Curry / Jenkins
SG: Thompson
SF: Barnes / Wright / Jefferson
PF: Lee / Green / Tyler
C: Bogut / Ezeli / Biedrins

If Rush returns as the backup SG as planned, the biggest need becomes backup PG or combo guard that can run the offense. If Jenkins shows big improvement in his ability to run a team in Summer League, the Warriors may throw most of their remaining resources at a veteran backup PF/C. If not, they may invest most of their Mid-Level Exception ($5M) in a veteran PG. The later would also be true if the young fowards and centers show extreme promise in Summer League as well. Hopefully, this is the case so that the Warriors can just focus on signing the best available asset in their price range, regardless of position.

Here are a list of free agents who are attainable given the Warriors' desire to stay under the Luxury Tax:


Point Guard / Shooting Guard Rankings

  1. Ben Uzoh : 5.59 ppr (pure point rating)
  2. Jerryd Bayless * : 3.53 ppr
  3. Kirk Hinrich * : 2.35 ppr
  4. Marco Belinelli : -0.12 ppr
  5. Patrick Mills : -0.10 ppr
  6. Alexey Shved : 1.75 ppr
  7. Nate Robinson : 6.50 ppr
  8. Sundiata Gaines: 3.93 ppr
  9. Armon Johnson : -20.00 ppr (small sample size)
  10. Ishmael Smith: 5.33 ppr


Power Forward / Center Rankings
  1. J.J. Hickson * : 20.2 PER
  2. Jordan Hill * : 19.3 PER, 15.1 rp40
  3. Dominic McGuire : 1.47 ppr
  4. Darrel Arthur : 15.7 PER
  5. Boris Diaw : 12.1 PER, 0.75 ppr
  6. Chris Wright: 18.7 PER, 9.7 rp40, 2.8 bp40
* salary at or above $4M

Potential Roster
PG: Curry / Jenkins / Uzoh
SG: Thompson / Rush
SF: Barnes / Wright / Jefferson
PF: Lee / Hickson / Green / Tyler
C: Bogut / Ezeli / Biedrins

Ben Uzoh gives the Warriors another backup PG, but more importantly, he is a great compliment to Curry and Jenkins. His length, fearlessness attacking the rim, and ability to defend and rebound make him a valuable player. He's strong enough to slide over to the SG spot as well. He is only 24 years old, so there is still a little upside to his game. If he can improve on his jumpshot, sky's the limit.

Hickson is still a raw big man at 23 years old, but he has shown many times why he can become a future starter in the NBA. He'll be Lee's primary backup, but also has the experience and size to help Bogut at center. Hickson is a terrific rebounder and adept shot blocker. If coached to play to his strengths and to play within himself, he can be a special player.

1 comment:

  1. JJ HICKSON'S WRITTING ON THE WALL IS SET IN STONE TO BE DESTINED A WARRIOR THIS YEAR. THIS TIME WE BETTER HAVE HICKSON. BOB MYERS TIME TO CORRECT YOUR PREDECESSOR'S (LARRY RILEY) MISTAKE
    STOP MESSING AROUND. SIGN J J HICKSON. DONT RUSH THE PG POSITION. SIT ON IT FOR NOW. WAIT AND WORK YOUR DRAFT'S WAITING MAGIC, THE RIGH BACK UP PG WILL FALL ON YOUR LAP.
    JUST GET RID OF BIEDRINS (NOT ONE MORE SECOND PLEASE. WE BEG YOU. DONT CURSE AND TORTURE US ANY MORE) AND DONT REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKE WITH DORREL WRIGHT. GET RID OF HIM AT ONCE.
    AND RESIGN RUSH, CHRIS WRIGHT AND DOMINIC MCGUIRE

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