Golden State Warriors Need One Piece to Be Contender

The Golden State Warriors seem to lack one large component: a dominant big man. But with this being a rare commodity, the Warriors have to be creative with how they find this big man.

Last year at draft time, rumors were flying and a deal nearly done with Minnesota for Kevin Garnett. Because that deal was never completed, Boston won another championship, and the Warriors end with 48 wins and no playoff berth.

Director of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin told the San Francisco Chronicle he wants to trade up in the NBA Draft, and with few highly rated big men, the possibility of Mullin taking a big man is slim.

The Warriors will try to trade for a big man and use a number of players on the roster as trade bait.

Forward Al Harrington was not the happiest with his playing situation under Don Nelson. His contract also takes up room that can be used for a possible big man.

If the Warriors were to use Harrington and Mickael Pietrus as trade bait, they might be able to lure a team into trading a big man.

Big men that could be moved are the Clippers’ Elton Brand, Nuggets’ Marcus Camby, and the Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal. With the possible implosion in Denver, the Warriors should pursue Camby.

What the Warriors need is a big man who can run and fill up the lane. Camby, although not on a great defensive team, is an All-NBA defender and eats up rebounds. He is also athletic enough to run with Baron Davis and company.

What Golden State needs is not a dominant big man but a big man who can clog the lane and has some sort of offensive game. If the team stays as is and of a deal gets done, the starting five would consist of Davis, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Andris Biendris, and Camby.

This move should also clear some cap space, and the Warriors also hold a $10 million trade exception from the Jason Richardson trade last year to help with Camby’s salary.

The Warriors also still have a couple of projects already working out in Oakland. Last year’s picks Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli are already in the gym working out to become part of Nelson’s rotation next season.

Wright showed flashes of his athleticism last season and should be part of the rotation next season.

With a trade or two, the Warriors should be a contender in the Western Conference and, pending on the move, could be the favorite in the West.

Golden State led the NBA in scoring last season, scoring 111 points per game and finished only two games out of a playoff berth. They started 0-6 where Jackson sat out with a six-game suspension.