http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... s.warriorsThe Warriors are making some noise this off-season. Brining in the Logo as a part-owner and consultant was genius, hiring Mark Jackson was bold, Jackson then predicting the Warriors make the playoffs immediately and turn the Bay Area upside down was even bolder, and now the word is that the Warriors are about to re-make their entire roster into a bigger, tougher version and that they may just be counting on the Lakers to help them accomplish such a transformation.
Now, I would be incredibly surprised if the Lakers were actually interested in Monta Ellis or if they felt he could be a full-time PG playing next to Kobe Bryant, however crazier things have happened (Iverson to Denver for example). If the Lakers were really interested in Ellis I would think the three possible deals on the table would be as follows:
1.) Bynum, Walton and Blake for Monta, Biedrins, Amundsun and the #11 pick which the Lakers could use on another big C prospect in Moteijunas.
2.) Gasol, Walton and Blake for Monta, Biedrins, Amundsun and the #11 pick.
3.) Odom and Blake for Ellis and the #11 pick which the Lakers could use to draft a replacement PF for Odom in Bismack Biyombo, one of the Morris' twins, Tristan Thompson or Kenneth Faried.
However, I believe it is more likely that the reason the Lakers have been called in regards to Monta Ellis is that the Warriors would like them to facilitate a three or even four way trade with the Philadelphia 76'ers and perhaps the Denver Nuggets.
I believe the 76'ers would immediately send Andre Iguodala to the Warriors for Ellis as they need a player who can score at a rapid rate and create offense for himself, something Iggy has never been proficient at. However, I also believe the Warriors haven't pulled the trigger on this offer simply becase while Iggy would fit what they are trying to do, namely get bigger and more dedicated to defense, their real target is an actual "big", not a wing player, something they don't really need with the emerging Dorrel Wright on the roster.
I believe the Warriors true targets are Andrew Bynum and Nene and I could see a three team trade as follows occurring, but possibly only if Jim Buss is not informed such a deal is occurring and his father, Dr. Jerry does this deal in the dark:
WARRIORS TRADE: Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins and the #11 pick
WARRIORS RECEIVE: Andrew Bynum and Steve Blake
LAKERS TRADE: Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, Steve Blake and the #41 and #46 picks
LAKERS RECEIVE: Andre Iguodala, Andris Biedrins and the #11 pick in the draft
76’ers TRADE: Andre Iguodala and the expiring contract of Tony Battie
76’ers RECEIVE: Monta Ellis, Luke Walton and the #41 and #46 picks in the draft
In regards to a four team deal, the following is probable:
WARRIORS TRADE: Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins and the #11 pick
WARRIORS RECEIVE: Nene and Andre Iguodala
LAKERS TRADE: Lamar Odom, Steve Blake, Luke Walton and the #41 and #46 picks
LAKERS RECEIVE: Raymond Felton, Kenyon Martin and the #22 pick
76’ers TRADE: Andre Iguodala and the expiring contract of Tony Battie
76’ers RECEIVE: Monta Ellis, Luke Walton and the #41 and #46 picks
NUGGETS TRADE: A re-signed Nene, Raymond Felton, a re-signed Kenyon Martin and the #22 pick
NUGGETS RECEIVE: Lamar Odom, Andris Biedrins, Steve Blake and the #11 pick
The above three and four way deals are extremely realistic and certainly would be trades that would “turn the Bay Area upside down” in the words of coach Jackson.
As for me, a known Lakers fan … I’d pull the trigger on both of the above trades. In the three way trade I would use the acquired #11 pick on Jimmer Fredette or if he is not available, a top flight SG prospect such as Klay Thompson or Alec Burks. In the four team deal I would use the acquired #22 pick on a C prospect such as Nikola Vucevic or Lucas Noqueira or if neither are available a SG prospect such as Marshawn Brooks, Iman Shumpert or Josh Selby.
Your thoughts?