Kevin Garnett to Boston. Kevin Garnett to Phoenix. Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles.
Now, Dallas and Golden State have been rumored to have interest in KG. On Friday, reports surfaced that both the Warriors and Mavericks have begun discussions with the Timberwolves. The Dallas rumor might be fluff. But the Warriors freed themselves $10 million by trading Jason Richardson to Charlotte on draft night which makes them a major player in landing Garnett.
According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle written Friday, Chris Mullin has acknowledged talking to the Wolves. Though Mullin insisted that he wouldn't trade fan-favorite Richardson, he did so anyway. "I'll miss Jason of course," Mullin said. "He's one of my favorite guys, my favorite players. It's a hard thing to see him go. But when you need to improve your team, sometimes you got to make tough decisions."
Richardson played great and helped lead the Warriors over the Mavericks in first round of the playoffs. As good as he was in the post-season, he played in just 51 regular season games. He is injury-prone and relies heavily on his jumping ability - something that will deplete with age.
Rumors surrounding Monte Ellis swirled on drafted night as some suspected that GS would try to move into the lottery so that they could pick Yi Jianlian. If Ellis is still on the block, the Wolves need a point guard and would love to have the most improved player in the NBA.
The Warriors have as good a chance of landing KG as any team. With the parts and cap space - trade talks should get serious. It seems like Mullin wants to keep Brandan Wright, who would make a great replacement for Garnett in the T'Wolves line-up. Mullin might have to package the Minnesota (Blaine) native Patrick O'Bryant (9th overall in 2006) with Monta Ellis and another player for Garnett.
The Warriors drafted great talent on Thursday which could open up the opportunity to move some of their current players. Marco Belinelli will be an immediate help which makes Monta Ellis expendable. Andris Biedrins and Brandan Wright will take up all of O'Bryant's minutes which makes Patrick expendable. Kelenna Azubuike, Matt Barnes, Michael Peitrus, Stephen Jackson and Josh Powell all play realitvely the same position which gives the Warriors options of who to deal and who to keep. They also drafted Jemareo Davidson and Stephane Lasme who can fill in for Brandan Wright and Al Harrington.
The Warriors are young and improving as they age. Adonal Foyle is the oldest and most experienced player on the roster. The Warriors took advantage of Indiana prior to the trade deadline last season and stole away Harrington and Jackson. If Mullin can figure out a way to make Garnett a Warrior, he could make a run at Brian Colangelo for executive of the year.
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