Hope not the best tactic for Warriors to adopt

Undoubtedly, the Warriors are sitting pretty with plenty of cap space. But it is naïve to think they are going to land some A-list stud. Even when the free-agent paradise of 2010 arrives, who's going to want to sign with a Golden State team coming off two mediocre seasons?

Seriously, who holds the banner of the Warriors' biggest free-agent signee in recent memory? Derek Fisher? Jason Caffey?

It was by fluke the Warriors landed a talent like Davis, who had worn out his red carpet in New Orleans. They got Stephen Jackson only because Indiana was tired of him. Not to mention they have a lame-duck coach in Don Nelson.

Safe to say top-tier players aren't clamoring to play in Oakland (ain't that right, K.G.?), and those who did desire to play for the Warriors were doing so because of Davis.

The Warriors are back to searching for an identity. They are desperate for a true baller (which they are showing by offering max deals to other players -- namely, Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand -- who are coming off serious injuries).

It would be a mistake to blame Davis for their situation. Sure, he opted out at the last minute, shocking the NBA world and leaving the Warriors dangling precariously.

But before he opted out, the Warriors had already determined he wasn't their guy. They had already passed up on a chance to nail down their one sure thing. They didn't.

For whatever reason -- his injury history, his diva tendencies, his price tag -- they chose to go in a different direction. They chose to rebuild (or restructure, retool, whatever) and bank on the possibility that things will fall into place down the line.

Sorry. That just isn't change we can believe in.

Marcus Thompson II covers the NBA for the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek, Calif.