Livingston is a true, pass-first point guard, who makes everyone around him better. While he has to prove that he is durable enough to play extended minutes, he is a low-risk, high-reward option for Mullin. Because of his youth, it is a decent bet that he will be able to return to full strength after that horrific knee injury. If they acquired Smith and either Williams or Livingston, while re-signing their free agents—I do not expect the Warriors to bring back both Barnes and Pietrus, with Barnes being the more likely player to return—their depth chart would look something like this:
PG: Ellis (22)/ Williams (21) or Livingston (21)/ C.J. Watson (24) SG: Jackson (30)/ Kelenna Azubuike (24)/ Marco Belinelli (22) F: Smith (22)/ Mickael Pietrus? (26)/ Matt Barnes? (28)/ Anthony Randolph (18) (R) F: Harrington (28)/ Wright (20)/ Richard Hendrix (21) (R) C: Biendris (22)/ Austin Croshere (63)/ Kosta Perovic (23)
While the point guard situation is worrisome, Monta Ellis’ passing and ball handling have improved massively. He should be able to make the transition to a scoring point guard who is still a playmaker, a la ex-Warrior Gilbert Arenas.
Jackson showed last season that he is capable of initiating the offense, if Ellis or Williams/Livingston is struggling. Watson, a D-League call-up from last year, also looked a competent NBA backup point last season. While the youth (read: inexperience) of this team may be terrifying next season, these moves would solidify the Warriors as one of the most exciting, talented young teams in the league. This is a team, if given time to grow together and mature, that could make a serious push around 2010, and be extremely exciting till then. Yeah, I wish Baron would come back. It would also be great to get Elton Brand, but I don’t see either of these things happening. Since the Warriors seem determined to blow big dollars on a free agent this summer, they should use them on J-Smoove.





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