PG - Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Sarunas Jasikevicus SG - Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson SF - Al Harrington PF - Andris Biedrins C - Adonal Foyle, Patrick O'Bryant
The Warriors are in a really interesting place right now. On the one hand, they just completed a great end to their season that got everybody excited about Golden State basketball again. On the other hand, they've got a lot of bad contracts and guys who are not very dependable (Stephen Jackson, Baron Davis with his injury history). They've also got a very unique style of play, and Nellieball requires a much different lineup than most teams. I was a little puzzled about how I felt about the Warriors. My initial thought is to try and trade Davis to someone like Atlanta in order to score a draft pick or some young talent. Baron's value is never going to be higher than it is now, they've got a good replacement being groomed in Ellis, and he's a risky player to have on your team. However, the Warriors have had tremendous success when they're clicking, they keep most of their core together, and they've got 3 draft picks to build even more. Reports are that Golden State is desperately trying to move up in the draft to get Yi, and that they're also looking at Jason Smith with 18 if they can't get Yi.
What They Should Do: Resign Mickael Pietrus and draft Smith at 18. The Warriors are one of the most unpredictable teams in the league, but when they're on they might be the toughest matchup in the league. Add a few draft picks who can contribute immediately, and you've got a team that has the potential to make a run if they get hot. Smith and Yi are very comprable players, but Smith is more likely to contribute immediately as Yi will have to adjust to a culture shift and get stronger before he's a solid contributor. I'm not as big on Yi as most people, and I don't think it's worth what they'd have to give up to move up when they can get a pretty comprable player in Smith. With the second round picks, they could look at an athletic guy like Wilson Chandler or a proven commodity like Jared Dudley. With their final pick, a great fit would be Russell Carter, who is one of my favorite sleepers in this draft.
What They Will Do: They'll probably move up to get Yi, which isn't a bad move, as he's a very solid prospect who would be a great fit in Golden State.
Houston Rockets
Roster For 07-08
PG - Mike James, Rafer Alston, John Lucas, Vassilis Spanoulis SG - Tracy McGrady, Luther Head, Bob Sura, Kirk Snyder SF - Shane Battier PF - Steve Novak C - Yao Ming
Picks
1 - 26 (26 overall)
Well, if it weren't obvious from that roster, the Rockets need some frontcourt depth. The most important issue at this point is to resign Chuck Hayes and Dikembe Mutumbo to shore up their frontcourt. In addition, they should try to use their mid-level exception to bring in a veteran like Grant Hill or Chris Webber. At 26, there are a few guys that I really like for them. Marco Bellinelli and Derrick Byars are both options to come in and play at the 3; I particularly like Bellinelli with his experience and shooting touch. The other option is Glen Davis or Josh McRoberts, both solid complementary players at the 4 position.
What They Should Do: Resign Hayes and Mutumbo, and go for Hill if they can get him, Webber if they can't. For their pick, I would rate them Bellinelli, Davis, McRoberts, Byars.
What They Will Do: I can't see what else they can do, they don't have a lot of options this offseason.
