Rumor has it, Harrington wants out of Goledn State. Where to?
There's a report by the Mercury News in San Jose that Al Harrington doesn't want to play under Don Nelson. Just as he was made the last tri-captain of the team.
So, Al doesn't want to play for Nellie anymore? Tough for him because he just signed a 2-year extension with the Golden State Warriors. The Dubs really don't need him anymore. By getting rid of him, sophomore Brandan Wright and rookie Anthony Randolph will have the chance to get more playing time, not to mention more floor time for veteran Ronny Turiaf. Oh, and more cap space.
They have a youth movement at power forward with a veteran which makes Harrington expendable. Harrington, though, is a really tough player to shop. Who wants an undersized power forward that averages 5.4 RPG and 0.2 BPG? He also jacked up 408 three pointers and made only 153 (37.5% shooting, not good). He shot more 3 pointers than he did in both of his stints in Indiana comined (172) and more than what he put up in the previous 2 seasons (193). Many teams are looking to get ready for the magical year of 2010 and some for 2009. Harrington's contract would be over by then and perfect for their plans.
So with over $19 million due to him over the next 2 years if he doesn't opt-out next year, where can he go and who and what can the Warriors get in return?
Chicago Bulls: Packaged with Marcus Williams/C.J. Watson for Kirk Hinrich
Derrick Rose will be the point guard of the future for the Bulls. Ben Gordon wants to start. The Warriors need a point guard. Their depth at that position starts at undrafted rookie DeMarcus Nelson followed by Watson and Williams. Despite a horrible season, the recently benched Hinrich is on another level compared to any point guard the Warriors have.
Gordon can fill in for the departed Hinrich. He can score starting and off the bench. So shipping Hinrich would be no problem, except that they have no point guard to back-up Rose, and injured Larry Hughes is not point guard. Williams or Watson could be packaged with Harrington. Watson or Williams will easily get playing time being the only true point behind Rose. Harrington, on the other hand will battle for time behind starting forwards Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas. His competition: Andres Nocioni and Joakim Noah.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Rodney Carney, Jason Collins
The T'Wolves are spending over $80 million on their players. They'd love to have him, if they knew that he'd opt-out. Harrington doesn't fit in the rebuilding T'Wolves' plans with Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Ryan Gomes and Corey Brewer set for significant frontcourt minutes.
Carney and Collins would find their way to the Warriors bench. Carney could possibly find some playing time behind Sthephen Jackson and Corey Maggette, but once Monta Ellis comes back in January, he's done. Collins is injured but could provide size at 7' and 255 pounds. When he comes back he can help against certain teams. Both are free agents next year.
New Jersey Nets: Stromile Swift, Maurice Ager & Cash
Swift turns 29 next month and has no future with the Nets because of the youth movement in the frontcourt with Yi Jianlian, Josh Boone and Sean Williams. Swift is thin for a power forward at 220 pounds, much less a center and his stats have gone down since his first stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. If given minutes, he's shown to put up better numbers, but not much better. He's a good shotblocker with 0.9 BPG in only 14 MPG. So if defense is what the Warriors need off the bench, Swift could just come in and get a block. After this season, he'd be off the books.Harrington could also fill in as a small forward for this team because he's certainly better than Eduardo Najera. It's a pretty good line-up of veterans and young guys with him, Vince Carter, Williams, Boone and Devin Harris. It's probably not enough to get into the playoffs though. Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Toronto, Washington (in that order I'm predicting) have the 1-7 slots locked up and Indiana and Miami will be competing for the last spot. It might be a good place to land for him for a couple of years. He'll be off the books before the Nets move to Brooklyn, leaving plenty of room for LeBron.
New York Knicks: Malik Rose
The Knicks don't need 33-year-old Rose anymore and really they never did. A straight-up Harrington for Rose trade would work out for both teams. Not only do the Warriors shave off almost $ 2 million immediately, they have over $7 million more after the season when his contract is over. He'd do nothing but sit at the end of the bench. Harrington, on the other hand, has a chance to be part of coach Mike D'Antoni's fast tempo.
Harrington already knows how to play uptempo. Add him to a frontcourt of David Lee and Zach Randolph, he could possibly take Quentin Richardson's spot at small forward. Depending on chemistry, Harrington could help the Knicks.
Sacramento Kings: Mikki Moore, Quincy Douby/Shelden Williams & Cash
The Kings needed a power forward ever since Chris Webber left. The best one they had after him was recently retired Shareef Abdur-Rahim when he played well in 2006. Harrington doesn't do much, but it gives them a bigger body and better overall talent in the paint compared to the 225 pound Moore. On the other hand, Moore's taller, outrebounded Harrington last season and shot better as well (57.7% FG). He has a $2 million buyout option. Douby or Williams would be thrown in to make the trade go through but could bring something to the team if needed.
Douby can play well in an uptempo pace like the Warriors did. After working out with the likes of Baron Davis and Paul Pierce in Las Vegas, he had a great summer league and training camp until an ankle injury marred his pre-season. He can fit well into Nellie's small ball system as an undersized shooting guard. Williams is a wide body back at his playing weight of 250 pounds. Despite his size, he's also accustomed to an uptempo game playing for Coach K at Duke and could give the Warriors size. All players can become free agents.If Harrington wants to be traded, he could end up anywhere. Anywhere except Indiana that is. He doesn't need a thrid stint with them. But Harrington will be in for a ride wherever he goes.
Jason Thompson, wasted lottery pick for the Kings? Apparently not. He was the only rookie to even come close to a 20-10 game. He could be the real deal and is already better than starting power forward Mikki Moore. 18 pts, 10 reb, blk.
Derrick Rose had the first big rookie performance of the season giving coach Vinny Del Negro and the Bulls their first win. He shined in pre-season and the #1 pick will definitely be dangerous in the future. 11 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast, 3 stl.
Kevin Love was a huge on the offensive boards with 4 of them along with 2 blocks. He might not be the definition of athleticism but he gets the job done. 12 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, stl, 2 blk.
Rebounding, it's in the family. Unlike his brother Pau Gasol, Marc is said to be more physical and that is a huge advantage. He'll be one of the best rookie big men in the NBA. 12 pts, 12 reb, ast, 2 blk.
Russell Westbrook will eventually take the reins from Earl Watson at point guard. He's fearless going to the basket, which should help his playmaking ability when he drives into the lane. 13 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, blk.
Rudy Fernandez is an all-around guard who can play both guard positions as well as small forward. Already a fan favorite in Portland, he's a fast rising star in the NBA. 16 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl.
It's safe to say that he had a better outing than twin brother Robin Lopez. Brook should see a lot of playing time with the rebuilding Nets and was 2 points and 2 rebounds away from a double-double. 8pts, 8 reb, ast, stl, 2 blk.
There are high expectations for him, and some people think who should be ROY. Shooting 5-20 won't cut it in the NBA, but as talented as he is, it'll all be a distant memory by next week. 10 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl.