Baron Davis Could Quite Possibly Return to the Warriors

In a season that has started off absolutely dreadful for the Golden State Warriors. An interesting rumor has many Warriors fans buzzing, on message boards and on Bleacher Report. There's already been one article written about the rumor. 

And who else started the rumor but Stephen Jackson himself, as mentioned in the article written in the Contra Costa Times by Marcus Thompson II.

Now, it's just a rumor and I'm having a hard time believing it. As exciting as it sounds, I don't want to burst any bubbles, but it's more than likely not going to happen. The reason is that there's one man who has to approve a trade like this and it's not Chris Mullin. Believe me, the trade would be done in a heartbeat if it were up to Mullin. 

The question is would team president Robert Rowell approve a trade like that? Consider the fact that he's the one who told team owner Chris Cohan not to accept the offer Mullin had for Davis due to concerns about Davis' durability. 

The possible trade is either Corey Maggette or Jamal Crawford and Marcus Williams of the Warriors going to the Clippers for Baron Davis. The salaries work out and it gives the Celtics a point guard who can play at a slower pace than the Warriors' style of offense, which apparently Davis and coach Mike Dunleavy clashed over. 

I guess there's a little hope considering the fact that Stephen Jackson seems to have a solid relationship with Rowell. Jackson was the one who got his contract extension from Rowell.

If Davis does come back to the Warriors then there's still a glimmer of hope for them to make a run or at least have a respectable season when it's all said and done. Here's what I believe the starting lineup would be with Davis. 

Starting at point guard of course Baron Davis, shooting guard Marco Belinelli, small forward Stephen Jackson, power forward Brandan Wright, and center Andris Biedrins.  The top two reserves would be Kelenna Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf.

Davis immediately improves the lineup due to his ball handling ability and it also takes the pressure off Jackson who became more of a point forward and has been turnover-prone this year, averaging over one more per game than he has througout his career. 

When Monta Ellis returns the Warriors would then have a solid three contributors off the bench with Belinelli, Azubuike, and Turiaf. Also, since most NBA fans know Nelson loves the small ball lineup you could see a lineup of Davis, Ellis, Belinelli, Jackson, and Biedrins on the floor. 

I barely have any hope that this trade goes down because it's all on Rowell and I don't see him changing his mind about Davis unless Jackson is able to really persuade him into accepting the deal. Then the question is who is going to the Clippers? 

My first instinct would be to have Maggette and Marcus Williams traded to the Clippers for Davis. Mulling it over further, it's actually a better trade for the Warriors to give the Clippers Jamal Crawford and Williams for Davis. 

The reason being is that Maggette—when he is healthy—gives the Warriors something they lacked during their playoff run with Davis: the type of player who can get to the rim and get other teams in foul trouble. 

I believe that Maggette is a better fit in the Warriors system than Crawford is. Maggette is a better defender than Crawford, although that's not really saying much. Still, the more defense the Warriors can get, the better. 

Although, as mentioned in Thompson's article, Clippers owner Donald Sterling never wanted Maggette to go. So, it's more than likely it will be Maggette and Williams for Davis. 

All Warriors fans can do now is hope that the rumor isn't bogus and that it actually does happen. I'm skeptical about it but it would be a great move by the Warriors to bring back Davis. Let's face, it the Warriors need him and Davis needs the Warriors.