No Baron? No Problem! Golden State Warriors Should Target Josh Smith

With some of the “old guard” Western powers (Spurs, Mavs, Rockets) starting to get older, the Warriors should focus on becoming a team who will peak around the start of 2010.  The guy who would perfectly fit in with that schedule is Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, also 22 years old.  Smith would be a perfect fit for the up-tempo game that the Warriors play.  He is an extremely versatile player, who can guard almost any position on the court.  He is one of the game’s best shot-blockers (2.8 bpg) and is a solid rebounder at the forward spot (8.2 rpg).    Though some question his ability to play the three, he has improved his outside shooting and ball handling.  Though he is not a great outside shooter yet, Al Harrington will be able to stretch the floor enough for him to be effective. 

It does not really matter who is technically the starting power forward.  Smith is a versatile enough defender to guard the other team’s better forward, and a forward tandem with that kind of size and skill would create the mismatches Nellie covets.  Some have questioned his character—but Nelson has been able to get the best out of guys like Davis, Jackson, and Harrington, who all had major character issues before their moves to the Bay.  If the Warriors were to sign Smith to sign to a contract in the neighborhood of $12 million per year for five years, they would still need to address the point guard position.  With the $18 million that Baron leaves them, they would be able to sign a mid-level point guard, while still being able to bring back Ellis and Biendris.    There are two guys who could be had for the right price, who would fit well into their young nucleus.  The first guy that they should look at is Louis Williams of the 76ers.  Though there are questions about whether he is a “true point”, he is a supremely athletic, 6'2" youngster (21 years old), who still has time to learn the position. 

Ironically, Williams has been compared to fellow Southern preps-to-pros star Monta Ellis.  He has shown flashes of brilliance in Philly, and the Warriors up-tempo system built around versatility will be perfect for him.  If he can develop his passing and decision making, he would be a great fit in Oakland.  But the better option for the Warriors—health permitting—is unrestricted free-agent Shaun Livingston, formerly of the Clippers.  He has been cleared for full-contact basketball, but his injury history makes many front-offices nervous. 

When healthy, however, the 6'7" 22-year old has been fantastic during his short career.  His size creates the kind of matchup problems Nelson loves, and it would allow Monta Ellis to play alongside him at the two. 

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