NBA Trade Speculation: Warriors' Toughest Decision—Trade Monta or Curry?

The Golden State Warriors' best move at the trade deadline would be to stand pat if Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry really made up the "best backcourt in the business" (Mark Jackson's words).

But in a year of reality checks for both Jackson and his players, it's time for the Warriors to split up this (at times) dynamic duo.

Ellis himself knew that this combo's days were numbered shortly after the team drafted Curry with the seventh-overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Ellis told reporters on the first day of training camp that the two "just can't" coexist in a starting backcourt.

Ellis continued: "I just want to win and you're not going to win that way."

His point was valid then, but the Warriors brass retained the small-ball genius, Don Nelson, and the Warriors coach in hopes that his up-tempo style would allow both players to succeed together. The Warriors sputtered to a 26-56 record that season, and Nellie was gone before the team played another game.

Despite the publicized change of heart from Ellis, his point (unfortunately for Warriors fans) rings even more true as Jackson tries to instill his physical, defensive-minded system. Neither player resembles anything close to even an average NBA defender (though the blame for their defensive miscues lies as much with the Warriors' lack of defensive teaching over the years as it does with the effort of the two players).

With the NBA trade deadline just two weeks away, it's time for general manger Larry Riley to make a decision on this now three-year-old debate: Ellis or Curry? Who needs to go?

Reasons for Moving Curry

The old NBA adage of franchise point guards being immune from trades could not be further from the truth this season. Before the season began, Chris Paul left New Orleans for the Los Angeles Clippers. Over the next two weeks, Boston's Rajon Rondo and New Jersey's Deron Williams could be the next ones moved.

This is not saying that the best way to an NBA championship is by moving your best point guard, but rather, emphasizing the point that in today's NBA, no one is untouchable.

But a big question for Riley and company to debate over these next two weeks is this: Is Curry a top-tier point guard, or does he still have the potential to be one?

Given the frustrating and injury-riddled campaign for Curry so far, it's hard to say that the jury is still out.

Even when healthy, he's been as frustrating as he's been dazzling. He's topped the 30-point mark in three games this season, but has failed to reach double-figures in five games. He's also notched just three double-digit assist totals, but has racked up four games with five turnovers.

But the biggest argument for moving Curry is simple: He can't lead the franchise in street clothes from the end of the bench. He's missed 10 of the team's 32 games this season, battling a lingering ankle injury that was thought to be handled by offseason surgery.

Reasons for Moving Ellis

At his best, Ellis is one of the league's premier scorers capable of beating defenders from the three-point line, from midrange or off-the-dribble.

At his worst, he's an undersized shooting guard (or an undisciplined point guard) who dominates the ball and disrupts the team's flow.

He's been both this season, which has played a large part in the team's 14-18 record.

Much like Curry's ability to the play the point, the verdict remains out on Ellis' ability to lead a franchise (although the jury may be on their way back into the court room, as this is his sixth season in the league).

He's been the Warriors' best player more often than not this season, but his standing around the league speaks volumes about his true value: Despite back-to-back seasons of 24-plus points and five-plus assists, he has yet to play in an NBA All-Star Game. What's more telling of his value is the fact that the team nearly moved him for Michael Beasley (a player reportedly available only a few months later for a late first-round draft pick) over the offseason.

This is not advocating moving Ellis for cents on the dollar, but it is telling that the league may perceive Ellis as little more than a volume scorer and a situation player.

As mentioned above, six seasons is a long enough time to expect his basketball IQ to increase or his defensive intensity to rise. Neither has come to fruition, and perhaps never will.

Lastly, it can't be overstated that Ellis will make nearly triple what Curry will over the next three seasons ($33 million to $11.9 million).

Close Call, but Curry Has to Go

With all of the reasons listed previously, Riley and his cohorts face a tough decision by March 15.

But in reality, the debate is solved rather easily.

Ellis is the Warriors most valuable player, but does not hold nearly the same weight as Curry does with the rest of the NBA.

In other words, losing Ellis would be more devastating to the organization, yet would not even bring the same caliber player in return.

Curry's injury problems have decreased his value, but he's still only a few months removed of being the main piece traded for players like Paul and Rondo. With today's training methods, is it that hard to believe that some organization will think they can fix his ankle? Remember, this is the same league where Greg Oden just cashed in on nearly $9 million despite playing all of 82 games since being the top selection in the 2008 draft.

And not only is moving Curry the better business decision, it's also a better basketball decision. He's made enough bad decisions to make people wonder if he'll be anything more than a three-point marksman in this league. With the league's fourth-best three-point percentage (38.2), the Warriors could stand to lose one of their countless outside shooters.

Ellis, meanwhile, is the only Warrior capable of creating his own offense and getting to the basket. For a team that struggles to get to the free-throw line as it is, imagine how often they'd fare with a backcourt full of shooters and a frontcourt that lacks a post scorer.

And as far as Ellis' contract is concerned, the $33 million remaining on his contract would likely be nearly matched by whichever player he is dealt for. Curry's cap-friendly contract, meanwhile, could allow the team to shed one of their bad contracts (Andris Biedrins or David Lee perhaps) in a potential trade.

Their record this season may suffer by moving either player, but sitting 12th in the Western Conference, they aren't likely to go anywhere this season as is.

The time has come to move one of them. This is, after all, a trade that's been years in the making.