After dealing starting forward, Al Harrington, to the New York Knicks for Jamal Crawford, Golden State has faced challenges finding playing time for its perimeter players. Overwrought with guards, center Andris Biedrins has taken advantage of the minutes he's received to average 15.2 ppg, 12.0 rbpg and 1.6 bspg in 28 games. Yet, seven of the team's top eight scorers are guards, or combo guard/forwards. Crawford leads the team with 19.3 ppg, which includes a 50-point game against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Furthermore, star guard, Monta Ellis is set to return soon. He recently completed his 30-game suspension, and as a result, the team waived young forward Richard Hendrix, who was playing in the Developmental League.
It's not like the team doesn't have talent. In fact, they're loaded with it. While Crawford, Stephen Jackson, Biedrins and Corey Maggette have all proven themselves in time, Kelenna Azubuike (13.3 ppg in 26 games), Anthony Morrow (10.1 ppg in 20 games), C.J. Watson (9.3 ppg in 27 games), Marco Bellineli (8.3 ppg in 20 games), Brandan Wright (7.7 ppg in 23 games) and Anthony Randolph (5.7 ppg in 13 mpg in 19 games) all have bright futures. However, coach Don Nelson has reportedly suggested that Randolph may not fit the team and perhaps should be traded.
The Warriors are better than their record indicates, but simply getting Monta Ellis back won't be enough to lift them into playoff contention. They're eight and a half games out of the playoffs and they need help on the interior. They've also won just three of their last seven games.
Assuming the Warriors would be interested in dealing with a team within its division, which isn't typical, one trade that could work would be a swap of Corey Maggette and rookie Anthony Randolph (assuming Don Nelson really doesn't think he fits the system) to the Sacramento Kings for center Brad Miller. Imagine a front line of Brad Miller, Andris Biedrins and whatever small forward you wanted to throw in their (probably Stephen Jackson).
Another trade that could be plausible for a couple teams would be a swap of the Warriors' Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol and Hakim Warrick. That deal isn't likely, though, since Gasol's Memphis' best young center, but the point of the matter is that Golden State ought to explore its options. The longer they wait to acquire another formiddable big, the more distance they'll put between themselves and the playoffs.
