The Warriors still need a point guard. Stephon Marbury's release from the Knicks seems imminent. The Warriors need someone who has experience running an offense.
Marbury's been around for 13 years. The Warriors want to get back to the playoffs. Marbury's been there four times with three different teams.
Stephon Marbury's time in New York seems to be over. The Knicks signed Anthony Roberson, a former Warrior, and also have PGs Nate Robinson and newly signed Chris Duhon on the roster.
They might have to bite the bullet and outright release him, but it is more likely that they want something in return.
That something could be the Warriors Al Harrington. I've always been a fan of guys like this, like Harrington and Troy Murphy before him, the guys who can post up as well as hit the outside shot.
But Al just doesn't fit in Don Nelson's system anymore. Not with the addition of Anthony Randolph, who is fully capable of ball handling and scoring. Or with Brandan Wright, who can also handle the ball and shoot decently from the perimeter.
The only setback is Marbury's salary, which is scheduled to be around $19 million. It doesn't match up with Harrington's ($8.4 million).
The Warriors have always been reluctant to go over in the luxury tax, and even with the remaining cap room after signing Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, and new addition Corey Maggette, it would push them over the salary cap.
Yet, this move makes sense. They would add six or seven points a game, gain a great point guard who is capable of running the floor, and also provide that leadership, which departed with Baron Davis.
If the Warriors are serious about making Monta Ellis the point guard of the future, it would also make sense to give him a good role model.
There are also rumblings about the Pistons inquiring about the availability of Andris Biedrins, apparently offering PG Chauncey Billups. Billups is another plausible option, but the Warriors are not going to part with Biedrins.
They are offering Harrington, but it doesn't look like the Pistons would be interested.
Another possibility is the acquisition of Shawn Marion, but all of these deals look like they would have to involve Biedrins and/or Ellis, both of whom the Warriors said are not on the market.
14 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Kevin Nolan 11 months ago
giving a guy 19 mil to be a role model is generally a bad idea. When the guy is Stephon Marbury......
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Khalid Shakran 11 months ago
I agree. Marbury is just way over the curve man. Plus, Mar. and Ellis...don't see that happening.
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Shaun Ahmad 11 months ago
Since when did Marbury become a role model? No one is going to trade for Marbury because they know that the Knicks have already thought about releasing him. Once they put that out there, any possibilities for trades went out the window.
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Evan Aczon 11 months ago
that looks like the case, but if they release him, the warriors have the right to negotiate a new contract right? There's no point in trying to take on the 20 mil, so waiting for the release, as well as waiting for the offer for Ronny Turiaf to go through. I'm really expecting Harrington to be traded, we're just waiting to see who for. PGs Jamal Crawford, also a Knick, Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon of the Bulls, are possible for trades, FA Keyon Dooling is also a possibility, but I'd like the warriors to look at JJ Redick, who doesn't bring star power but has been waiting for three years to actually get some playing time. He'd take the same 3 point shots that Harrington, Baron, and Barnes/Pietrus would take, at a much higher percentage.
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Shaun Ahmad 11 months ago
Yeah.. but Bulls aren't moving Hinrich. They're going to play him at 2. As far as JJ Redick goes, he would be a terrible point guard unless you play Ellis at 1 and Redick at 2.
The best fit would be a decent veteran point guard like a Tyronn Lue, where you know what you're going to get and don't have to give away pieces to get him. I don't know if he's still available or not but he's a consistent pg who can fill the void until Ellis is ready to assume it.
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Shaun Ahmad 11 months ago
By the way, Marbury's salary isn't $19 mil. It's $21,937,500 for 2008.
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Dimitry Yakubovich 11 months ago
I think CJ Watson will be adequate at the backup PG spot if Starbury is the only other viable option. Don't do it, not if we have to pay Stephon anything close to half of his Knicks salary.
Hey, where is Earl Boykins? He should be faily inexpensive, and likes to run and gun. Food for thought!
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Shaun Ahmad 11 months ago
Exactly.. You don't need a star PG.. just a role filler. Also, if the Knicks were to release Marbury, the Warriors could sign him to a new deal. They would only take on the 22 mil contract if they traded for him.
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Danny Penza 11 months ago
Thanks, but no thanks.
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Evan Aczon 11 months ago
i've changed my mind. can i unwrite this article? i just want the warriors to get a PG, Monta's not up for it.
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trin dawg 11 months ago
If the knicks buyout Marbury's contract, he will be able to sign either the MLE to most teams in the team...say what you will about his character but the guy can still ball and he is even better when all the pressure is not on him as the main player to produce.
Marbury will excel in Nelson's uptempo offense...too bad the knicks don't want to see what he can do in D'Antoni's system before deciding to buying him out...
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Tonto Epstein 11 months ago
I agree with the last comment. In fact, the original post is just dumb. If the Knicks buy out his contract, a team can sign him for the vet's minimum. Grant Hill took it. So would Marbury, after the buyout he sure as hell wouldn't be demanding big money.
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Evan Aczon 11 months ago
The Nets just traded for Keyon Dooling, so leave him off the list of options of PGs. The other option being explored is just platooning CJ Watson and Marco Bellinelli at the point. Bellinelli had 8 assists on Saturday while also scoring 14 points. Demarcus Nelson is a viable backup, I think, for CJ and Marco, and would add some size, say if Monta and CJ get too small.
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John Gray 11 months ago
Here's a thought. How about Starbury to Cleveland to help LeBron.
Cleveland has plenty of cap room.
They can make the deal for Wally Szerbiak.
Cleveland is desparate for talent to team with LeBron to convince him to stay.
Starbury will have to play 2nd fiddle but at least will be on stage unlike in New York.
It's the best match that I see for Starbury and would be an upgrade at PG for the Cavs from Delonte West.
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