Shaun Livingston Close to Signing with Warriors?

With Monta Ellis' recent ankle injury, the Golden State Warriors are looking thin at point guard. Might the recuperating Shaun Livingston be the answer to the team's woes?

There have been reports that the former Illinois star has looked impressive in recent workouts during the summer—impressive enough that Warriors General Manager Chris Mullin has visited Chicago to obtain his personal insight.

Livingston has told reporters that his knee feels fine and that he is continuing to apply increments of pressure on his knee each day, prepping his body for a successful return to the NBA.

At 6'7", Livingston is the league’s tallest point guard. The rest of the guard world trails behind by several inches.

Of the NBA’s most notable guards, Gilbert Arenas and Chauncey Billups stand at 6'4", trailing Livingston by 36 centimeters.

With Livingston’s amazing length, Golden State would have the tallest backcourt in the league with presumably Stephen Jackson, 6'8", at shooting guard.

Shaun averaged 9.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.1 SPG in 54 games during the 2006-07 season prior to suffering the infamous, catastrophic knee injury that caused him to miss the rest of the 2006-07 season and all of last year.

While attempting a lay-up, Shaun came down awkwardly on his left leg and shattered his knee in three areas, severely halting his career.

Marcus Williams, one of the Warriors' new additions this offseason by way of a trade with New Jersey, averaged 5.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, and 1.9 RPG during the 2007-08 season.

Even with Marcus Williams coming over in the deal, I'm not convinced that the Warriors have a credible point guard. I was a fan of Marcus when he played for the University of Connecticut, and undoubtedly he has the tools—the ball control, size, patience, and court vision. 

But the question is, after playing second fiddle to Jason Kidd for two seasons and Devin Harris last year, is he ready to take over the starting role? Is he conditioned enough to be effective in Don Nelson's offense?

The other option at point guard for the Warriors is second year player C.J. Watson, who Golden State signed midway through the season from the NBA's Developmental League.

Watson averaged 3.7 PPG, 1.1 APG, 1 RPG while appearing in 32 games last season for the Golden State Warriors.