I get it. They were tired of Stephen Jackson’s act and wanted to get rid of them.
I understand Troy Murphy fits better into their system and can stretch the floor for Jermaine O’Neal.
And maybe they really think highly of Ike Diogu.
But I don’t see why they would make this trade. I don’t think what they get is enough to justify signing off. They are taking on bigger, longer contracts. They are getting shortchanged in the talent department. While Murphy may be good in their system, they have gotten worse in the chemistry department. They now have 58 forwards (no way Dunleavy starts over Granger, right?). They took a team that had mediocre offense and solid defensive and added players who are streaky offensively and poor defensively.
I think Murph will be good for them. I do. That style fits his game better. But do they really feel as if he and Dunleavy are better fits than Harrington and Jackson?

Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson are coming. Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy are going.
The Warriors have pulled off a blockbuster trade, drastically altering the roster and getting a player they coveted this summer.

According to sources, the Warriors get:
F Al Harrington
G/F Stephen Jackson
PG Sarunas Jasikevicius
F Josh Powell

and they give up:

F Mike Dunleavy
F Troy Murphy
F Ike Diogu
PG Keith McLeod

If you were watching the first part of the Warriors game, you probably panicked when you saw Pietrus go down with what looked like a season-ending injury.
It turns out that Mickael Pietrus suffered sprained left ankle. But the way Pietrus crumbled, and had to be carried off the court, it looked more like an amputated left ankle (someone at the game joked that it was the Frenchman in him).
Granted, it might turn out to be one of those 4 to 6 week ankle injuries. But that’s better than a torn ACL. The Warriors can’t afford to lose anybody, but if Pietrus went down for the rest of the season, that might’ve been the season. At least — from initial analysis — he should be around for the second half of the season.
This bodes well for Kelenna Azubuike, whose spot on the roster for the rest of the season is all but locked up now, if it wasn’t already. The good news is, for Warriors fans, there is still hope the Warriors will be completely healthy at some point this season.

Is it me, or have the Warriors been successful when Foyle plays? Sure, it has something do with the fact that Nellie only puts him in against good big men or when things are desperate. But his hustle and grit stands out on this finesse team.
Foyle might turn out to be a valuable piece late in the season. He won’t be valuable enough to turn down a trade offer involving his contract, but considering the unlikelihood of that, he could be useful. Though Nellie expected little to nothing from Foyle, his gerth and defensive experience will come in handy late in the season, when the games get slower and stops become more vital, as the Warriors battle for a postseason spot. As long as Nellie can stomach a slower pace, which it may behoove him to do considering the Warriors have failed to get stops before.
Andris is already on his fourth wind. Ike Diogu isn’t polished enough on defense. Matt Barnes is too small to add defending the post to his list of duties. The fact is, Foyle is the only player on the roster to bring what he brings. Don’t be surprised if that works to the Warriors advantage somehow.

According to many NBA insiders, the Clippers want badly to trade Corey Maggette. And according to published reports, Maggette feels the same.
Currently, the Clippers may want too much for the Warriors liking. But as their desired trades fall through and they get desperate (they’ve already tried to use Maggette to get Iverson and Artest), the Warriors would do good to jump in and swoop Maggette up.
How explosive would the Warriors be with (a healthy) Richardson, Pietrus, Ellis, Barnes and Maggette — with Baron leading the break? Sure, Maggette would be another Warrior who doesn’t let poor percentage deter his outside shooting. But if Nellie can reel him in like he did Pietrus, he would be a nice addition. Even if the Warriors don’t give up Dunleavy, which would leave a glut at SF, it would still be worth the investment. The Warriors need more talent. They need more please who can produce conistently, create mismatches. Maggette can do that, and at a reasonable price (his average salary is less than Dunleavy’s).
The Feb. 22 trade deadline will be hear before you know it. With the way the Clippers are struggling, they are going to be eager to rid the distraction Maggette has become and get some help for their final playoff push. And if they can’t land KG, the Warriors should be right there to give it to them.

The third ballot returns are in, and still no sign of Baron Davis, though Jerry Stackhouse is over the 200K mark. Not only isn’t he getting any votes, his chances of being added on have slimmed with Allen Iverson coming to the West.
Kobe and McGrady are going to be the starting guards. Steve Nash is a lock as a reserve guard, and the second guard spot is wide open (the West coaches could use one of their two wild card selections to add another guard, but the forward position is even more deep than guard). Allen Iverson, especially if he takes Denver on a win streak, will likely end up getting the nod. I wouldn’t be surprised if Stern forced the coaches’ hand under the table. But, if Gregg Popovich ends up the coach, Tony Parker could make his way on the roster. If Mike D’Antoni ends up the coach, chances are there is only one spot because you know Marion and Stoudemire will take up the wild card spots. Does he give the last guard spot to Chris Paul, who played for him in the World Championships? Does he reward Raja Bell?
If Avery Johnson ends up the coach, my bet is that Jason Terry gets that other guard spot.
Either way, it seems Baron will get the shaft though he’s playing above everyone’s expectations. First off, he’s been healthy, playing in 30 of the 34 games. He’s leading the Warriors in points (21.3), assists (8.6), steals (1.97) and minutes (37.4). He leads all qualified West guards in assist-to-turnover ration (3.15). Only Chauncey Billups (3.68) and Jason Kidd (3.15) have better rations among qualified guards.
Considering Davis has been a one-man show for much of the season, these are certainly All-Star caliber numbers. But, the way it looks now, the only reason Davis will be in Vegas come February 18 is to sleep in his own bed.

The Bobcats’ acquiring Jeff McInnis from New Jersey gives them three point guards — Brevin Knight, Raymond Felton and McInnis. Both McInnis ($3.6M) and Knight ($1.5M buyout for 2007-08) are expiring contracts. Which is extra salary cap flexibility to go with the $10 million in cap room they already have.
All this means Charlotte has the cap space to absorb some of the Warriors contracts. It might require a first-rounder or Jason Richardson, but they could do it. For instance, the Warriors could package Troy Murphy and a draft pick for Brevin Knight Knightand the deal would work even though the salaries don’t match because the Bobcats have cap room to absorb the salary. (That’s just an example.)
The Bobcats like their young players, but they still need a shooting guard and can improve at center, especially athletically. They may be interested in Murphy (and move Emeka Okafor to center and bring Sean May off the bench) too.
They will likely prefer to spend their cap money on the star player they need, a la Vince Carter. But maybe Mullin can convince them to deal.

THE WARRIORS SHOULDN’T TRADE JASON RICHARDSON

10. Then Fox Sports would have to replace all those posters on BART.
9. Who would do battle with Kobe and embarrass Sacramento? Richardson has been the only guy able to go toe-to-toe with Kobe (at least for three quarters) and he owns Sacramento.
8. The Warriors would be hard pressed to find a better community guy.
7. J-Rich is just too cool a nickname to let go.
6. Who would make the playoff guarantee for next year at the season finale? Who would pay for an apology ad in the newspaper?
5. He’s going to have a lot to prove next year. Richardson is a prideful young man who thrives as the underdog. If he answers the bell, that could be a huge 2007-08. How silly would the Warriors look if he has that career season in another uniform?
4. Monta Ellis needs more time, and the Warriors can’t afford to wait. They need production now. Richardson can give steady production while Monta learns the ropes. Plus JR can push Monta, make sure he earns what he’s got coming.
3. They’ve got him at a good price for his production and talent level. The going rate for 20 points, six rebounds and five assists is about $12-$15M per year. The Warriors got him for $10M.
2. They can’t get good value for him because he’s been hurt and he’s perennially underrated. Chances are, nobody’s going to fork over too much considering the season he’s having. Though Warriors fans know different, Richardson’s seen around the league as a nice player who can lead a bad team in scoring. Most people feel like you can get that type of player in any draft or off any D-League team.
1. Can you say Mitch Richmond?