Warriors not shopping Monta

Warriors not shopping Monta

Posted on: June 18, 2009 12:25 pm

Score: 146

Warriors coach Don Nelson and GM Larry Riley flew to Memphis recently for a damage-control meeting with Monta Ellis. The message? Golden State isn’t looking to trade Ellis, whom they signed to a six-year, $66 million extension last summer. Instead, they wanted to tell Ellis in person that they intend to make him a captain and build around him.

It was a tumultuous year for Ellis and the Warriors, who threatened to void Ellis’ contract over an offseason moped accident that resulted in a 30-game suspension costing Ellis about $3 million. In April, Golden State officials sent a letter to Ellis’ agent, Jeff Fried, relinquishing their rights to void the contract. That ended one controversy but left another one still brewing.

Ellis’ strongest supporter in the Golden State front office was former GM Chris Mullin, who has been told he is not wanted back after his contract expires June 30. Mullin has avoided official contact with any potential suitors until the contract expires. But Ellis’ concern about his standing with the franchise in Mullin’s absence needed to be addressed. So Nelson and Riley flew to Memphis, where Ellis has been with his first son – Monta Jr. – who was born June 5.

“The GM and the coach traveled to Memphis to further provide that assurance to Monta that this is his team and they’re looking to build this team around him for years to come,” Fried said in a phone interview Friday. “Monta’s response to them was that the most important component is winning. He wants to win and he wants to win with the Warriors.”

Golden State has the seventh pick in next Thursday’s draft and is deeply involved in trade talks involving the pick. But those talks, evidently, will not involve Ellis.

Category: NBA

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Cards Rule NL Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 15, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 1:49 pm Score: 111 Warriors not shopping Monta Don't get me wrong, I really like Monta Ellis, but the 'ole cliche, this is a team sport and there is no "I" in team couldn't be more evident here. I have read so many stories on what the Warriors should do with the 7th pick. I think the best thing the Warriors can do is to do their due dilligence like they are going to use the 7th pick, and then see what unfolds. If a team like the Suns or Knicks moves up in the draft, who knows who could be available at 7. The Warriros are set at Center with two solid players (Andris Biedrins + Ronny Turiaf); and both under contract. I like Anthony Randolph starting on the Small Forward side with Corey Maggette coming off the bench. This makes Brandan Wright expendable. Ditto for Marco Belinelli with Monta Ellis, Kellenna Azubuike and Anthony Morrow holding down the Shooting guard spot. The two weakest positions are PF and PG. Getting a guy like Jordan Hill would be a great move at 7 and then you move a couple of your guys (Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli and /or Jamal Crawford) for a second tier PG (which this draft has many). CJ Watson makes a great backup and can even start with four strong players opposite him. My point here is, I wouldn't mind seeing Monta Ellis go if we can use him in a trade for one of the better PGs such as Terrence Williams, Stephen Curry, or Tyreke Evans as long as we upgrade our PF position. The Warriors are deep in Monta's positon, and I like Azubuike just as much if not more than the sulking Monta. [ Reply to Comment ]
borntowinn Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 18, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 2:53 pm Score: 90 Warriors not shopping Monta Be Patient with this team why is everyone in a hurry to trade someone off the warriors? the warriors had a ton of injury's last season yes monte did something stupid but is everyone forgetting he's only 21? he is going to be something special to watch if he is healthy.they are a very young team that needs to grow together, the warriors are deep at every position and that includes power forward....brandon wright just needs to get tougher put him in some karate classes but he runs the floor like a deer ,jumps out of the building and can block shots and is developing a nice jump hook but remember he got hurt to. anthony randolph is going to be a superstar i hope he's working hard this summer putting on bulk and muscle because he is special! i just dont know if nellie is the right coach for this young team . the problem with the warriors is theirs guards play terrible defense..... which breaks down the team defense.... they need to teach them their are two ends of the floor and if you dont play both ends you sit! food for thought.....jamal crawford and cory magette for baron davis and zach randolph ( randolph has baggage but he's got the size and muscle and inside game thats missing from this team and a expiring contract) .... this would be a good trade for both teams that way jackson stays at small forward ( i dont have a clue as why nelson would move stephen jackon to the big guard with all the big guards they have ) with azubuike and anthony randolph switching back and forth it opens playing time for bellinelli and morrow and reunites baron and monte. baron was the heart and soul of this team and he is a true point guard and plays great defense. the warriors need to get rid of bob rowland this guy doesnt have a clue on what to do. remember last year when he wouldnt resign baron? he's goes out and offers 100 million to arenas? good deal that would have been?!or 100 million to the other guy in philly? both guys where hurt the whole year.... by them not signing with the warriors .... they saved his job and this franchise from ruins. he needs to go! [ Reply to Comment ]
bballstar5 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 16, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 3:14 pm Score: 130 Warriors not shopping Monta There is no way Nelson is going to want Baron Davis back, and baron doesnt want to go back either. Moonta Ellis is one of the top athletes in the NBA and the warriors are smart to build around him. They have a good 1-2 punch with Crawford and Ellis, Then Stephen Jackson and Anthony Randolph are two good SF's. Beidrens is a rebounding machine. They just need someone who cna play good defense, like they had with Pietrus, someone to slow down the best players on a team. Maggete was a bust and should try to trade up in the draft using him and their own 1st rounder. Nelson is a good coach, his style may not win a championship but it could ge tthem into the playoffs. Bottom line all they need is a piece similar to the Dirk or Nash of his succesful Mavericks [ Reply to Comment ]
Cards Rule NL Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 15, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 3:36 pm Score: 83 Warriors not shopping Monta Don't get me wrong, I am not in a hurry to trade someone off the Warriors, but let's face the facts. (many of which you are incorrect) We are too deep at some positions and severly lacking in others. I completely disagree with you on the PF position. We really don't have anyone! Further, while I agree with you on getting rid of Robert Rowell (not bob rowland?), it's not going to happen. Since Robert Rowell was the one who didn't want to give Baron Davis a two year extension, what makes you think he is going to take back Baron Davis with his ridiculous five year deal he signed with the Clippers? (not going to happen my friend) The Clippers are going to take Blake Griffen, and, paired with Baron Davis, will have a nice one two punch. (get over it, the Baron Davis era is passe) Two needs for the Warriors are PF and PG. You are going to play Stephen Jackson at small forward? What, and then put Anthony Randolph at PF? <yikes> Despite him bulking up in the off-season, he will get run over at PF. Yes, Brandan Wright was hurt last year, but, he is duplicated by Anthony Randolph. (and I am definitely NOT trading him; that we agree) And, I like Monta Ellis, but, again, we have a lot of duplicates in his positon too. (Azubuike sure stepped up in his absence) So, you have to trade value for value. That is why I advocate getting the PF you need in Hill, and trading for the PG position. [ Reply to Comment ]
borntowinn Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 18, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 4:00 pm Score: 72 Warriors not shopping Monta the warriors are the best team in basketball at drafting 6'6 and under guards they have alot of them but they are vary impatient with big players. anthony randolph if he bulks up will be a nightmare for power forwards in this league as well as playing small forward. the warriors have alot of different lineups they can play with teams. for example they can go big with randolph, wright beitrins, jackson, and monte. they can go small they throw all kinds of lineups with this team but nelson likes to play small ball way to much. and barons contract is for 5 years now 4 and its a whole lot cheaper than maggettes contract who is not a team player and a ball hog. Can you image baron running the floor with this team? do we want to draft another young pf and wait another 2-3 years for him to develop? stephen jackson is best suited at small forward he turns the ball over way to much to be a guard. if you notice the lakers have alot of the same players at curtain positions but phil jackson does a great job of rotating his players so they are fresh in the 4 th quarter. unlike nelson who rides his best players until they are ready to drop in the 4th quarter. you need 2 players at every position the warriors dont have a true superstar just yet but thet do have a lot of big guys who can run the floor. but its up to nelson to rotate them properly so they arent gased in the 4 th quarter. you get baron back the warriors answer alot of problems with this team. [ Reply to Comment ]
kac824 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 19, 2007	Posted on: June 18, 2009 5:56 pm Score: 70 Warriors not shopping Monta Think the Warriors would change their minds if they could get Amare Stoudemire for Monta? I do... [ Reply to Comment ]
Raider666 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 23, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 6:15 pm Score: 136 Warriors not shopping Monta Monta is an exciting player, but not a great player - at least not yet. He's exciting enough on offense to put a lot of fans in the seats, but his short-comings are glaring. As a shooting guard, he's undersized and a very poor on-the-ball defender. As a point guard, he's a poor ballhandler and an even worse defender. He needs to work hard on ball handling - his dribble is way too high so when tries to penetrate the ball is either stolen or swatted away. With his speed, quickness, and jumping ability, he should be a much better defender and needs to concentrate hard on that aspect of the game. Anthony Randolph is an absolute keeper, even though he is young and raw. At worst, he will be a terrific 6th man able to energize a team on both offense and defense at either forward position. I think he could also provide minor minutes at shooting guard and center when the primary players at those positions are injured or in foul trouble. The Warriors have a lot of interesting pieces, but nobody is the complete package at his position. They all have an strong upside but also at least one significant weakness. Over the last several years of being a Warriors fan, I have decided that Nelson is overall not a very good coach. He can get marginal teams and players to overachieve, but can't seem to get good players and teams to even adequately achieve. My guess is that it's his constant tinkering with line-ups and inconsistent allocation of minutes to the players. [ Reply to Comment ]
Cards Rule NL Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 15, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 7:49 pm Score: 101 Warriors not shopping Monta borntowinn, I will say it one last time, put down your glass pipe, Baron Davis is NOT coming back to the Warriors, period. With that being said, let's move forward. Drafting Jordan Hill at the PF position, I don't think you are going to have to wait 2 - 3 years to have him develop. Besides, at 6'10", (at least what he is listed at) it keeps the Warriors from drafting another 6'6" player like DeMar DeRozan or Dejaun Blair. (repeat after me, Ike Diogu; and we all know what a bust he was!) Of course everything is a crap shoot, but from what I have read, the young man has a solid work ethic. That is what separates the prep stars from the NBA stars. Now that the PF position is enhanced, trade for a PG. Sure, a Baron Davis or better yet Deron Williams type PG would be nice, but let's get a reality check. They aren't going anywhere. You can win in this league with a decent PG (see Fisher and the Lakers) as long as the rest of the team is stellar. Monta, is a good player in the right scenario. Personally, I like Azubuike better. Ditto for Randolph over Wright. [ Reply to Comment ]
Cards Rule NL Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 15, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 7:58 pm Score: 58 Warriors not shopping Monta Pietrus? Are you kidding me? Peitrus and the word defense don't belong in the same sentance unless of course you are referring to his best move, the reach in foul. Stephen Jackson is bar far the best defensive player the Warriors have. Nelson puts him on the other teams best player night in and night out. Trading for Bosh would work for me though. [ Reply to Comment ]
Cards Rule NL Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 15, 2009	Posted on: June 18, 2009 8:00 pm Score: -3 Warriors not shopping Monta Personally, I would rather have Chris Bosh. [ Reply to Comment ]