Ranking some tall, floor-stretchers

[BRInQ]

i say we go after Maggette & Randolph

 

[Sock]

Warriors willing to trade Randolph
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14006727?nclick_check=1

Team and league sources confirmed Tuesday that the Warriors have included second-year forward Anthony Randolph's name in trade discussions.

Golden State once exalted Randolph as the face of the young, promising core around which the franchise was to be built. But in just under a season and two months, Randolph has gone from possible draft-day coup to the Warriors' latest trade bait.

One team source said the Warriors aren't necessarily looking to get rid of Randolph but are willing to trade him if doing so would improve the team.

That's what happens when you're 7-17 and have lost seven of your past eight games — the last defeat being to a team, the Philadelphia 76ers, riding a 12-game skid.

Randolph was deemed the starting power forward in the offseason and was invited to participate in Team USA's training camp in Las Vegas after a dominant summer league.

But one Eastern Conference executive said Randolph's stock is down around the league.

Teams are concerned about his play and effort, the source said, and they think he spends too much time on the perimeter (not everyone sees him as a small forward). His talent is obvious, the source said, but Randolph is closer to seeking a big payday after his rookie contract expires than he is to realizing his jaw-dropping potential.

Another Warriors source said no one on the roster is off limits, and Yahoo! Sports quoted an anonymous Eastern Conference executive as saying every Warrior "could be had."

There are players they would prefer to keep, however. A team source said the Warriors don't want to trade guards Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and Anthony Morrow but aren't in a position to overlook any option.

Ellis has taken his game to new heights since the Nov. 16 trade of forward Stephen Jackson and could become the Warriors' first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. Ellis is averaging 26.8 points, 5.1 assists and 2.7 steals in 42.9 minutes per game since the trade. That has no doubt increased his value, but he would be risky to move.

Curry has had his struggles the first 24 games of his rookie season. Coach Don Nelson considers him the best passer on the team, and he probably is its best ballhandler. But he has turned the ball over frequently, his outside shot has been sporadic and he is having a hard time on defense.

Still, the Warriors like Curry's potential, and trading him would be a serious change of pace. He was No. 2 on their draft board (behind Blake Griffin) in June, and management was elated when Curry was available at No. 7.

"He is not going to be traded," Nelson said after Curry's introductory news conference. "He was drafted because we think he is going to be a terrific player, and he's going to be right here."

Note: The Warriors and Levy Restaurants are hosting a Food Drive the next two home games, with all donations benefiting the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Fans who donate five cans of food or make a $5 donation could win a prize. According to the Food Bank, the most-needed items are canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, beans, rice and dry cereal. For more information, go to www.warriors.com.

 

[Ziggie123]

Does that mean the Warriors would be looking mostly for expirings?

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

It means they want talent for Randolph. Win now type talent.

Randolph isn't coming here. Stop the ridiculousness. Focus on guys with long pricey contracts on bad teams. That's who we have a chance at..and maybe an outside chance at Boozer.

 

[Zog]

There's no reason for the Warriors to take back an expiring contract for Randolph, he doesn't have a bad contract/make a lot of money anyways.

 

[Number1Starter]

If anything would happen between the Cavs and Warriors involving Anthony Randolph I would imagine it would be in the context of a three team trade with a more established piece coming to the Cavs and Randolph being used as the young, talented piece going to the 3rd team (amongst expiring contracts)

This seems to be the most viable/'Ferry-esque' dealing with Randolph that the Cavs would be involved in. I guess you could consider this type of move involving more complex trade involving bigger name players moving (be it Bosh - though unlikely, Jamison - more likely, though I think Washington would crap their pants if they could pull Randolph and Z's expiring for Jamison, etc)

If Golden State wants to talk a healthy Andris Biedrins in trade scenarios then I'm sure the Cavs would be all-ears. If we're going to be giving up bigs in any trade (which is likely this case with Z) the Cavs are going to demand bigs back. If Biedrins could stay healthy he could really help the process of 'euthanizing' our front court (in the words of Michael Scott)

 

[AvonCavsFan]

STARTERS M FG 3FG FT OR TR A TO STL BLK PF PTS
T. Murphy, PF 36 10-14 5-7 1-1 1 14 3 0 0 1 3 26

Another good night for Murphy.


As for Randolph, I don't think he could help us this year...would rather get someone a little more established and a better outside shooter.

 

[AvonCavsFan]

I am watching this Wizards game and if I were Jamison I would DEMAND a trade...Arenas has to be the worst PG in the league. Jamison is 6 for 8 and abusing who ever guards him, yet 5 possessions in a row Arenas just HAS to shoot. Unreal...

 

[Silky Smooth]

I think we will deal for a PF and i think it will start off with us looking into the availability of Bosh and if that doesnt work basically pick between Antwan Jamison and David West.

 

[BorntobeCLE]

Jamison just went to the locker room and was holding his injured left shoulder.

 

[AvonCavsFan]

Jamison going to the locker room with a shoulder problem.....my biggest concern with him right now...

I think with his game, he will be good through his contract if he remains healthy, he is just crafty with his shot making, I don't think he will lose that even if he lost a little bit of athleticism..

 

[Salem]

This article mentions that the Cavs are interested in Antawn, but it fails to mention if it is a current or former rumor. Take it as you will...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/12/16/antawn.jamison/
By: Ian Thomsen
December 16, 2009

How wrong was I about the Washington Wizards? I thought they'd win 50 games and challenge Atlanta for the No. 4 seed in the East.

Antawn Jamison, however, thinks my forecast may not be so far off.

"I expect a lot," said their 6-9 captain. "I expect more than you expect."

But the 7-15 Wizards are last in the Southeast amid a five-game losing streak, including four losses by two points or fewer. On Monday, they launched a four-game trip through the West by abandoning a lead of 17 points in the third quarter to fall to the Clippers 97-95. Washington's preceding two losses, against Boston and Indiana, might have turned the other way had Gilbert Arenas made free throws in the final 30 seconds.

"I've just come to the reality that this guy has been out of basketball the last two or so years," Jamison said of Arenas. "Your body hasn't been able to deal with basketball for the last two years, and then we expect you to come back to be the old Gilbert, shooting half-court shots."

On the one hand, the Wizards can't fairly assume that Arenas will renew his career as if he hadn't missed 149 games over the previous two years. On the other hand, they can't expect to go far without him.

"I kind of thought it would take at least up until the All-Star break, or a little after, before we see start seeing it more on a constant basis," said Jamison of Arenas' return to excellence. "But to think that this guy's going to come in and (score) 30-35 a night -- believe me, I want it to happen. It makes it easier for the rest of us. But guys are going to have to step up until he really gets back into the thick of things. I knew it was going to take some time, but I think he's doing pretty well. He's just got to stop listening to people and go out there and play his game."

Coming off a horrid 19-win season, the Wizards envisioned a bounce-back year based on the recoveries of Arenas and center Brendan Haywood, the hiring of coach Flip Saunders and the pre-draft trade for Mike Miller and Randy Foye. So far they've been playing like a team of strangers, with former All-Star Caron Butler (16.7 ppg) struggling to develop a winning role as a No. 3 option now that many of his shots are going to Arenas (20.5 ppg).

Even so, the Wizards have been on the verge of turning all of their recent losses into victories. As always, Jamison is the constant. Last season he scored in double figures in all but two of his 81 games to average 22.2 points and 8.9 rebounds while his teammates foundered. This year, he has overcome a right shoulder injury to provide a team-leading 21.5 points in 13 games to go with 8.7 boards. The consistency of his production and effort has earned him a role of leadership, which he has been leveraging to demand better results from his team.

"We're all professionals, we all got the same common goal, we all know how to play the game and we all know how to play with one another. Early on, when I wasn't playing and everyone was like, 'Well, when you get back, when you get back ...' That's an excuse," Jamison said. "You're using that as a crutch. You shouldn't do that. You still got to go out there and find a way to get it done no matter who's out there on the court.

"Last year we did that a lot, [thinking] 'We don't have Gilbert, we don't have Brendan, and DeShawn [Stevenson] is not out there.' We still should have won more than what we did last year. So after going through what we went through early on, with me not playing and Mike being hurt, I just told guys, 'You know what? We can't use that as an excuse anymore. So what, we've been snake bitten so far as injuries the last couple of seasons. It happens. We shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves.' After getting that message across, guys realized that, no matter who's out there on the court, we should always give ourselves a chance to win."

At 33, Jamison still plays like a younger man with a lively, unorthodox game that makes him difficult to stop, whether he's spotting up for threes or spinning up wrong-footed leaners and drives in reverse. Other teams would love to have him -- imagine how much he would help the Cavaliers, who have shown interest in making a deal-- but Jamison doesn't want to leave. That's why he keeps a picture of the championship trophy on his locker wall. When he lifts his uniform to dress for each game, it's like lifting a veil to reveal his goal.

Once I signed here a couple of years ago, I made a commitment to the owners, the coaching staff and this organization that I was going to do everything possible to get it done," Jamison said. "My dad's a big believer in, if you set out to do something, you've got to finish the job. Don't take the easy road out and [say] 'Get rid of me or send me somewhere else.' I'm a loyal guy, and they believed in me here from day one. Just because things haven't gone well the last couple seasons, there's no need to jump ship and go somewhere else."

But Jamison understands better than anyone that time is running short. The Wizards are $8 million over the tax threshold with new ownership on the way as Ted Leonsis prepares to exercise his option following the death of Abe Pollin last month. If this group of players can't figure out how to play with one another, they may leave management with no option but to consider making changes at the trade deadline.

"I don't have another 12 years left in me," said Jamison. "The only thing left for me to accomplish is to win a championship. That's the only thing driving me, that's the only thing that's in my head. I do feel that this is an organization and a situation that can make that a reality. But it's going to take work and its going to take everything from me night in and night out. I realize that the sense of urgency is there as far as the window of opportunity, and I'll make the best of it and do all I can while I'm blessed with the opportunity to do it."

 

[Zog]

That's not good about Jamison's injury, except that the Wiz will lose more games and become more likely to ship him off just for expirings.

As I said previously, if/when he becomes available, I really think we have to be considered the front-runners. I only see us, Denver, and San Antonio as having any interest in him. San Antonio has Bonner who can shoot threes better than Jamison (though he's not as good) and has a much smaller contract. I'm not sure Denver would really need him because they really don't need any more defense. If Denver were to trade for a PF, I would think it would be a defensive-minded one. On top of that, Denver is already paying Kenyon Martin $15+M this year and next. If they can't get rid of him in the deal, do they want to be paying $25+M to PFs without having either of them being an "elite" PF?

 

[abuC]

The Raptors continue their free fall, I really don't think Bosh is out of the question if the losing continues. If you go to the Raptors board, they are posting some horrible trade ideas, some of which aren't much better than what the Cavs have to offer. His trade value is getting lower and lower with each double digit loss, if they are 10 losses under .500 near the deadline I think the Cavs have a shot at him.

 

[Tizzle]

Jamison going to the locker room with a shoulder problem.....my biggest concern with him right now...

I think with his game, he will be good through his contract if he remains healthy, he is just crafty with his shot making, I don't think he will lose that even if he lost a little bit of athleticism..

Jamison is balling tonight before going to the locker room.

9-13 for 20 pts, 4 rbs.