NBA Trade Talk: Monta Ellis Era Could End Given Golden State Warriors' Draft

With the No. 11 pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors selected sweet-shooting Washington State guard Klay Thompson, and it could mean the Warriors are indeed shopping star Monta Ellis.

A plethora of trade rumors has sprung up recently regarding Ellis, the quick, explosive guard selected in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft.

Time and time again, the Warriors front office has vehemently denied such rumors, essentially laughing in the face of inquiring reporters.

But the truth of the matter is, the Warriors were always going to be weak defensively on the perimeter with undersized guards Ellis and Stephen Curry on the court together.

We all know the duo can score in an explosive manner, but for a team under new coach Mark Jackson beginning to emphasize defense for apparently the first time, the Warriors needed a shooting guard with size, and they got that with the 6'7" Thompson.

On top of that, the Warriors drafted Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins with the 44th overall selection, a potential steal. Jenkins is 6'3" just like Ellis, but he's a much bulkier guard at 216 pounds who Chad Ford of ESPN noted is "built like a truck."

That gives Jenkins the ability to play both guard positions despite being undersized and not be at too much of a disadvantage defensively.

I find it hardly unlikely that the Warriors aren't shopping Ellis at this point, especially considering he could net them a strong post player who could help them out defensively, someone like the Denver Nuggets' Nene Hilario or the Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith.

That, and this little tidbit from Peter Vecsey of the New York Post:

"

A few days ago, it appeared as if the Warriors had decided to keep Ellis despite some very attractive propositions. However, late yesterday, they were back to giving serious thought to moving him if the pitch blew them away. Word has it Ellis' agent, Jeff Fried, who did not return my call, informed management his client wants to be dealt.

"

Warriors fans may not like a player who played like an All-Star getting shipped out, given so many of their stars have left for other teams, but if the Warriors can add defense with the trade of Ellis, this may work out a lot better than it appears.

After all, where has a one-sided approach to offense gotten the Warriors these days?