Are you guys happy w/ the Richardson trade?

[SAKURABA216]

Im a Pistons fan and was wondering how you guys feel about the Richardson trade. I always thought he was a pretty good player, he is also pretty young and played well in your system. I understand Monta Ellis can start at the 2-guard instead now, but w/ Nelson's penchant for switching around the line-up and your fast-pace offense I was wondering why the Warriors didnt just keep both players and have one of them be a sixth man like Ginobli or Gordon.

[Left*My*Heart]

The reason is simple...Money. JRich is overpaid for his role on the team as the 4th, 5th or 6th best option. Being able to dump his salary on the Bobcats gives the Warriors Cap space flexibility. I thought he was also on the decline physically, which would be a major issue since he relies on his athletic ability. Ellis has benefitted by getting extra minutes and assuming more responsibilty on the floor.

JRich is a good player, but he has some limitations that are fairly major at the SG position. He has a hard time handling the ball against good defenders, he is a poor free throw shooter, he is very inconsistent in his scoring, he has improved defensively, but he is still below average.

With the TE, salary dump and getting Wright in the deal, it still is a great deal for the Warriors.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

I'm content with it because we can resign both Monta and Biedrins, unless our management decides to act stupid or one of those two guys has a completely irrational agent. That was really the point of the trade. I liked Jason a lot, was a shame to see him go, but the move made perfect sense, especially given the hindsight that Monta's game has grown as quickly as it has.

The only regret I'd have is that I think Wright could have been a significant contributor even this year if given the chance. Not an all-star, maybe not even a starter, but I think he could have been a contributing rotation player.

[mistatwo mayn]

You'll find a lot of us high on Wright. I had no idea he'd fall to the 8th spot. Personally, predraft I just didn't think he had it. Too small. But he holds his own well.

Loved Jrich, despite all of his flaws. And this season, looking at the biggest hole in the roster; not the bigs. GSW is short one guard in the rotation.

[Left*My*Heart]

I firmly believe that Wright would be playing more now had he not missed the summer league, the preseason and the first couple of weeks of the season because of injury. He missed very valuable practice time, as well as being able to get into playing condition.

The bench is another factor why Wright hasn't gotten minutes. There have been so many games that the bench sucked so badly that they couldn't hold leads. You can only count on Biedrins, Baron, Ellis and Jack night in and night out. Had there been reliable bench production, we would have had more garbage time minutes for guys to get their feet wet.

I personally would start Wright and I don't know how many loses if any he would contribute to. Just like Pietrus hasn't cost the Warriors important games in the past.

[floppymoose]

My feeling on the trade initially was that I'd miss Jason, but that it was a good trade for the reasons given above. The only real downside was that it might make us miss the playoffs this year.

I still feel exactly the same way.

The main outcome for me was that I bought league pass.

[Sid the Squid]

How many game would we of won with JRich this season?

I'd guess we could of won the Pacific

[Sleepy51]

How many game would we of won with JRich this season?

I'd guess we could of won the Pacific

Ultimately, Jrich at the 4 instead of Bukie, Snatch or Al would have made us a significantly stronger team in all the Nellieball ways. I think we'd have made my 5 seed prediction.

Al as permanent 6 man behind Jason (better shooter, better rebounder, better finisher - just not a better defender) on a team totally committed to smallball would have been justifiable in the locker room and on the floor. Chemistrywise it would have been a stronger combination than the various question marks that we've paraded in and out of the lineups . . . and we would have traded Pete by the deadline.

(Of course everyone would have to not care about the luxury tax to go with that roster.)

For the future, we'd have to find another PF solution longterm because we wouldn't have Brandan who looks to be fantastic, but for 1 season's run? Maybe with an eye toward letting Baron opt out? We would have been an even more amazing run and gun circus with Jason still here.

[SAKURABA216]

I loved playing as the Warriors in NBA 2k7 when you guys still had JRich, but Monta wasnt rated as high as he should be. In 2K8 your offense rating would be insane if you still had Richardson. The Warriors are, by far, the funnest team to play as.

Thanks for the responses, I hope you guys make the playoffs. Too bad you cant play Denver in the first round, would have been fun to watch.

[GswStorm3]

Yes we would be down right scary offensively with Richardson right now. But the thought of having our PF of the future to go along with Andris gives us a better chance to compete for a championship in the future. Of course after Nellie leaves and after we're done playing smallball.

Plus the like already mentioned the trade was made for financial reasons.

[crzy]

Loved the J-Rich trade. We got Brandan Wright AND ensured that we would have the financial flexibility to retain both Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins.

[FNQ]

We traded a 12 mil a season SG with limited passing/handling/defensive abilities for a 10 m exception, and 4 years of an athletic PF who dropped about 5 spots more than he should have....

Yeah, pretty damn happy