Post by BTriggs on Aug 22, 2003 19:30:31 GMT -5
Warriors deal again
By Joe Nolan, STAFF WRITER
The Warriors continued their off-season roster overhaul on Thursday, acquiring forward Clifford Robinson and point guard Pepe Sanchez from the Detroit Pistons for backup guard Bobby Sura.
"In acquiring Clifford Robinson, we've added quality depth to our frontcourt," Warriors General Manager Garry St. Jean said. "He was a starter on a team that played in the Eastern Conference Finals."
Thursday's trade was the second this week for the Warriors. On Monday, Golden State sent Antawn Jamison and Danny Fortson to Dallas for Nick Van Exel as the principal players in a nine-man deal.
After the two trades and losing Gilbert Arenas and Earl Boykins through free agency, the Warriors have five players remaining from last season's roster. And they may not be done.
Going into the off-season, St. Jean said he didn't plan to make this many changes. But after Arenas left for the Washington Wizards, St. Jean said they had to address that hole, and then one move led to another. He also said they may make more moves and indicated there may be a need at the forward positions.
If the Warriors do make another trade -- and it's believed that could happen in the next 24 to 72 hours -- the player many speculate could be dealt is Erick Dampier because of his large salary.
As the roster stands now, according to St. Jean, Golden State has a good balance between youth and experience.
Starters Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy have five years combined experience, while the players recently acquired all contributed important minutes in the conference finals last season.
"With Van Exel, (recently signed Speedy) Claxton and Robinson, we've added guys who played significant roles in the conference finals," St. Jean said. "We add significant leadership to our young core. It gives us flexibility in the long term and will make us more competitive short term.
"Eric and I were concerned about how we could win more games, and one of those areas was on defense. We still think we're going to be able to go up and down the court extremely well, and we believe we'll be better defensively."
Sura, who was used by Golden State as a backup at both guard positions last season, averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds.
"We lose a tough defender," St. Jean said. "Bobby's a guy that was kind of a catalyst. He had an edge to how he played, and I respect that. Nobody could question Bobby Sura's effort level."
Sanchez appeared in only nine games last season and was included to match up salary. Robinson has two years remaining on his contract at a reported $5 million per season. Sura had one year remaining on his contract at a little more than $6 million.
The long-term flexibility to which St. Jean referred is Golden State's payroll situation in two years.
Jamison had five years left at $69 million, and Fortson had four years remaining on a six-year, $38 million deal. Meanwhile, Golden State is obligated to pay Van Exel approximately $21 million over the next two seasons, with a third year that isn't guaranteed. So after two years, the Warriors say, they will have money to spend on free agents and to re-sign Murphy and Richardson.
It is unclear how the moves have sat with the Warriors fan base.
"It isn't like we ripped up a championship team," St. Jean said. "I'll be honest, we wanted Gilbert to stay here. But we think we have a darn good team. Will it be as good or better? I think it can be."
One potential pitfall to the trades is that the Warriors gave up hard workers who wanted to be here for veterans who may not see leaving championship contenders for the Warriors as an ideal situation.
Van Exel, in fact, has said in the past he would never want to play for the Warriors. St. Jean hasn't spoken to Van Exel yet but said he doesn't anticipate a problem.
"We all make statements, spur of the moment," St. Jean said. "I think Nick is a player who has really matured since his days as a Laker. He's extremely competitive, and as we move along in our careers, we grow up."
