Grading the Golden State Warriors' Offseason

The Warriors have been one of the more active teams this offseason.

New ownership, new players, but no new front office or coaching yet. Are there moves left to be done?

Let's review the moves the Warriors have made and see what the 2010-2011 season holds.

David Lee for Ronny Turiaf, Kelenna Azubuike, and Anthony Randolph

I'll even admit when the Warriors made this trade, I was screaming, "We haven't seen how good Randolph could be."

"Could be." That has been the Warriors mantra for the better part of twenty years. With David Lee, the Warriors finally have somebody for what he is.

He is the first 20 point, 10 rebound player in a Warrior uniform since Nate Thurmond. People who say he can't run in Nellie's system better take a look at who his coach was in New York.

Mike D'Antoni's teams know how to run and if he is 20/10 in that system, he'll be 20/10 in Oakland.

In hindsight, the only part of the trade that makes me cringe was trading Azubuike. He had been so good for the Warriors before he was injured last season.

The problems this trade leaves the Warriors is finding a backup center for Andris Biedrins.

But, of course, you are not officially a Warrior until you have a stint on the disabled list.

David Lee: dislocated finger. See you at training camp.

David Lee trade: A-

Anthony Morrow to Nets, CJ Watson to Bulls

I know these trades hurt because they had been really good for the Warriors.

Both went undrafted. Both played their way in through the D-League. Most importantly, both proved they belong in the NBA.

Second-year player Anthony Morrow is about as lights out from three-point range as any player in the league. But he is a single skilled player with little ball handling ability and zero defensive presence.

Spending $4 million for Morrow would have been another misuse of money by the Warriors.

By trading him to New Jersey, the Warriors gained a $4 million trade exception.

Morrow trade: B+

What are the Warriors currently missing? Oh, right, a backup point guard. Watson has proven to be a big game player and is about as good a backup point guard in the league.

At the $3-4 million, which the Bulls will be paying him, it was a legit amount for a backup at his position.

Although, like the Morrow trade, this leaves the Warriors with another trade exception.

Watson trade: C+

Corey Maggette for Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric

Dumping a fat contract for two smaller ones? What's not to like?

Corey Maggette is owed $30 million more over the next three years on the contract he signed with the Warriors in 2008. As we have seen, he is best when coming off the bench and playing around 30 minutes per game.

A bench player worth $10 million per year? Not Maggette.

He is injury prone, a revolving door on defense, and takes ill-advised shots.

What did the Warriors get in return? A backup center in Gadzuric and a defensive stopper in Bell.

Bell has two years remaining on this contract.

Gadzuric is in the final year of his contract (approximately $9 million this season). As we have seen, teams are always interested in expiring contracts.

Maggette trade: B+

Drafting Ekpe Udoh

As someone who watched Udoh play live in the Sweet Sixteen, this guy is exactly what the Warriors needed.

He is long, agile, and quick. He is the defensive presence the Warriors had been missing.

Every pass, every shot, every loose ball, there was Udoh.

I know there are Warrior fans screaming "Greg Monroe!" Monroe did not fill a need for the Warriors, especially when you consider we traded for David Lee.

But, of course, the rite of passage for the Warriors is spending time on injured reserve. See you in January, Ekpe!

Drafting Udoh: B-

Signing Dorell Wright

A fast, athletic small forward. All for $4 million per year?

Once again, this is a guy who fits the Warriors' needs. He is a guy who actually plays defense and it's nice to have someone even somewhat interested in that.

The Warriors allowed an average of 112 ppg. Defense needed to be addressed.

His athletic ability will also thrive in Nellie's style of offense.

Wright signing: B+

Warriors Sold to Guber/Lacob

Can I get a "hallelujah"?

The biggest transaction, figuratively and literally, was the sale of the Golden State Warriors to Mandalay Entertainment (not to be confused with the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas).

Chris Cohan didn't know what he was getting himself into when he purchased the team 16 years ago.

He did not surround himself with basketball minds. He spent money in all the wrong places.

He hired people who were not good judges to talent:
Gary St. Jean
PJ Carlesimo
Robert Rowell
Mike Montgomery
Dave Cowens
Eric Musselman

Players that were overvalued:
Antawn Jamison
Erick Dampier
Jason Caffey
Adonal Foyle
Todd Fuller
Mike Dunleavy
Troy Murphy

Even though the new ownership is not Larry Ellison, these guys have a sports background. More importantly, a NBA background.

Joe Lacob had been a minority owner with the Boston Celtics when they won in 2008. Recent success is always good.

Because the sale cannot be finalized for another couple of months, changes in the front office or in coaching staff probably will not occur until then.

The bottom line remains, no more Chris Cohan and, hopefully, a new outlook on the Warriors future.

Sale Grade: A+

Where does that leave us?

The Warriors are in a much different position now than they finished the season.

Your guards are:
Monta Ellis
Stephen Curry
Reggie WIlliams
Jeremy Lin
Charlie Bell

Forwards:
Dorell Wright
David Lee
Vladamir Radmanovic*
Brandon Wright
Ekpe Udoh

Center:
Andris Biedrins
Dan Gadzuric*

Bold = new acquisition
* = Free agent after season

The Warriors are in a very good position financially for the upcoming season as well. By trading Morrow and Watson, as mentioned before, the Warriors have an $8 million trade exception.

That combined with the expiring contracts of Gadzuric and Radmanovic (approximately $17 million) gives the Warriors $25 million to play with and trade with.

New ownership could give the image of the team new life. An All-Star like David Lee saying he wants to play in Oakland will also help the Warriors' case.

If the team can stay healthy (I know, big if), they could compete in the West seeing as many big names have left for the East.

Overall offseason grade: B+