NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors Brass Too Bold in Pursuit of Dwight Howard

When Joe Lacob and Peter Guber took over the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 15, 2010, they promised to be bold and build the Warriors into a contender.

But there is such a thing as being too audacious, and the Warriors are currently barking up the wrong tree pursuing Dwight Howard.

Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com tweeted on Tuesday:

"

Warriors continuing push for Howard deal even without Howard commitment to re-signing. Not backing off from risky move, source says. Andris Biedrins has zero trade value, so GSW offer has to be 3-4 key pieces. Imagine moving Monta Ellis, Klay Thompson, others and Howard walks (at end of season). But Dubs staying in.

"

As part owner of the Boston Celtics when they won the title in 2008, Lacob has had some success in the NBA. But he's running the risk of jumping the gun, which could send the Warriors catapulting from mediocrity to putridity.

The center position and team defense have always been the Warriors' weaknesses. In that sense, Howard would be the perfect player to add as the best center in the NBA.

But there simply is no guarantee that he'd stay with the Warriors past this season if they landed him. In fact, it's unlikely that he would stay, given the Warriors aren't on his list of preferred destinations.

There's being bold, and there's being stupid. The Warriors could potentially trade away a dynamic player in Monta Ellis and an emerging rookie in Klay Thompson just to land Howard for half a season. And, with Ellis gone, there's really no chance the Warriors would make the playoffs with Howard this season, anyway.

I know what the Warriors are doing: Get Howard to Oakland by any means necessary and plead with him to stay.

But what if he doesn't? It's a huge gamble that could cripple the organization even more.

Warriors management was criticized for not being bold enough in the past. If new brass makes a move like this, it will be blasted for being too bold come free agency.

The key for Lacob and Co. is to land somewhere in the middle.

That means not trading for Howard.