Baron Davis: Bolting the Bay Area?

The Golden State Warriors failed to make the playoffs this season after a miraculous upset over the Dallas Mavericks in last year's postseason.

Happiness brings joy, defeat brings bad news.

Frustration, anger, and curiousity must be the emotions swirling around in the head of their All-Star caliber point guard Baron Davis.

After being embraced in Oakland and leading Golden State back into the spotlight in the NBA, B-Diddy is considering leaving town.

Baron Davis has the option to opt out of his deal, lose $17.8 million in guaranteed money, and become a free agent this offseason.

With only one year remaining on the six-year, $80 million deal he signed with the Hornets before he officially becomes a free agent, Davis will probably command in the upwards of $30-50 million.

Davis has been a key component in Golden State's resurgence in the Western Conference. But after a dismal season-finale loss to Phoenix that halted Golden State’s playoff chances for another year and his inability to effectively communicate with coach Don Nelson in that game, his future with the Warriors is uncertain.

The dispute occurred when Nelson made a questionable decision by benching Baron for the entire second half after shooting two-for-13 at intermission.

Clearly, it wasn't his finest hour, but Davis is their floor general and he makes the W's a smooth running machine. Without him in their lineup, Golden State's offense was inefficient and shaky.

There is no chance that Chris Mullin doesn't resign arguably the team's best player in Monta Ellis this offseason.

Ellis won the Most Improved Player of the Year award a year ago, and during the 2007-08 season averaged 20.2 points, 3.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game while sharing time at point guard throughout the season. Monta's field goal percentage, points, rebouding, and free throw percentage have increased with each season of his career.

Lethal and almost untouchable in the open court, Monta is disputably the fastest player in the NBA (Leandro Barbosa, Devin Harris are also worthy candidates) and uses that speed to his advantage; to draw contact and frequently get to the line.

Contract talks between Baron and the Warriors' front office have gone nowhere so far, but the offseason is long.

If Davis in fact does decide to stay with the Warriors for the 2008-09 season, it will be his last wearing the thunderbolt insignia.

It will be a punch in the stomach if Davis leaves the Bay Area, as he has brought joy and pushed Warriors fans out of caves back into Oracle Arena.

It will be a truly sad sight to see No. 5 go.