NBA Trade Rumors: Jerry West Hints Warriors Won't Deal This Season

Jerry West, a 14-time All-Star as a player and a two-time Executive of the Year, reportedly will be taking a closer look at the Golden State Warriors as an adviser with the team.

As in, by spending more time in the Bay Area and watching them courtside.

West said on Sunday, via the San Francisco Chronicle:

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"I'm going to be up here a lot more. I think something can be done here, and it's kind of fun for me. It's a challenge, but it can happen in a year's time if we can get lucky with a few things."

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West has been keeping in touch with general manager Larry Riley, assistant GM Bob Myers and co-owner Joe Lacob while he's been in Southern California, but spending more time in Oakland after this weekend's Northern Trust Open charity golf tournament will allow him to look at players first-hand.

West's potential impact can't be understated. As the Los Angeles Lakers' former general manager, he knows how to evaluate talent and knows how to construct a playoff team. He was a big reason the Warriors drafted sharp-shooter Klay Thompson No. 11 overall in the 2011 draft. Thompson has begin to blossom in the NBA.

According to the Chronicle, West said that he doesn't think the 11-14 Warriors are as far away from the playoffs as some may believe. He's hinted that the Warriors won't do much leading up to the trade deadline this season, but likes their chances moving forward.

West said he sees eight difference-makers in 2012's draft class. If the Warriors can keep their first-round pick in the draft (top-seven protected, Utah Jazz's current pick), they'd be able to land an impact prospect, add a second-round difference-maker in a potentially deep draft pool and use $10 million in salary cap room to possibly add a free-agent center.

Then, according to West, they'd have the pieces to be active in the trade market next season.

West added, via the Chronicle:

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"We need to solve our one glaring need at center, and once you have some chips, that's when you can make a trade or shake things up to get something you don't have. It's challenging, but I'm confident that it can be done."

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I gotta say, I love what West is doing. This is why he's a two-time Executive of the Year. He plans well in advance and finds the best time to position the team for a playoff push.

You have to admit, if the Warriors land a solid, young center in the free-agent class, plus two promising prospects, they have to potential to challenge for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference next season.

It's only fitting that the closer West gets to the Bay Area, the closer the Warriors get to the playoffs.