NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Will Have to Make Do with What They Have

Don't be surprised when the Golden State Warriors stumble out of the gate when the NBA season finally kicks off.

For starters, the Warriors are not a good team. They went 36-46 in 2010-2011, and they're bringing back the same team. To make matters worse, they have a new head coach in Mark Jackson, and he is only going to have a couple weeks to get to know his team and to prepare them for the season.

So until further notice, things are going to be bleak for the Warriors. Things aren't going to change unless the Warriors make a change or two.

Like, say, a trade, preferably a blockbuster one. Since we're talking about the Warriors, that means either sending Monta Ellis out, bringing Dwight Howard in, or both. When it comes to trade talk concerning the Warriors, these are the two names you're most likely to hear in a conversation/debate.

Should we expect to see either trade happen? Honestly, my gut tells me that the answer is no.

If you don't want to take my word for it, listen to Marcus Thompson, the Warriors beat writer for the Bay Area News Group.

Thompson published a lengthy FAQ piece on Wednesday, and he made sure to touch on Howard and Ellis.

Here's what he had to say about Howard, with the question being whether or not the Warriors have a "realistic shot" at acquiring the Orlando Magic superstar:

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The simple answer is no. Other teams just have more to offer. Orlando, if it trades Howard, will have a gigantic hole in the middle, one that will need to be filled. The Warriors can’t come close to filling it... It is also likely they don’t have enough to entice Howard to sign long-term, especially when he has a chance to play alongside Deron Williams or Kobe Bryant or Derrick Rose.

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In so many words, the Magic are going to demand a lot in exchange for Howard, and any package will have to include a suitable big man. Compared to what other teams can offer, the Warriors just can't compete.

If you're surprised and/or saddened to hear this, you shouldn't be. If the Warriors do decide to move on Howard, they would be going up against some heavy hitters. As Thompson alluded to, the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls are all in the Howard sweepstakes, and all three have more to offer and would be a more fitting destination for Howard's talents.

In order for Howard to end up in Oracle Arena, something drastic would have to happen.

As for Ellis, Thompson says you shouldn't expect him to be moved. Not immediately, anyway:

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It would take a monster offer for the Warriors to even consider it, and those offers aren’t pouring in. New coach Mark Jackson wants a chance to coach Ellis, so he will get at least the first few months. Golden State will no doubt listen to offers in February, or whenever the trade deadline looms (say if Chicago comes calling). Doubtful they would pull the trigger then either.

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The thing about Ellis is that he's probably more valuable on the Warriors than he would be on any other team. He can score with the best of 'em and he's perfectly suited for the kind of fast-paced offense Mark Jackson wants to run, but he's undersized and a defensive liability. The Warriors are not going to get an offer they like, so they may as well hold onto Ellis and see if Jackson can work any wonders.

I personally have my doubts as to whether or not the Warriors can succeed with a backcourt of Ellis and Stephen Curry, and between the two of them Curry is the guy they should keep if it comes to trading one of them. But like Thompson says, the Warriors are going to have to give it a shot and then reassess things at the trade deadline.

Those who are pulling for Ellis to be traded should pull for Ellis to play really well while the team loses. That will increase his value while increasing the Warriors' willingness to trade him.

Those who don't want Ellis to be traded should pull for the Warriors to win (you are fans, right?). If what the Warriors have is working, I assume they wouldn't break it up.

To make a long story short, the Warriors aren't likely to make any trades. They will make a signing or two (Nene?), but the team you see now is not likely to change much.

Whether or not that's a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen.