Baron Davis to be traded

[DBAHO]

It's all happening tonight;

 

The Golden State Warriors are in serious discussions with the New Orleans Hornets to acquire Baron Davis before Thursday's 3 p.m. trading deadline, league sources told ESPN.com.

 

The Warriors have the expiring contract of Dale Davis to build a package around, but it's believed that other players from both teams would be involved -- as well as future draft considerations going to the Hornets -- to convince New Orleans to part with its former All-Star guard.

 

What's clear is that the Hornets are moving away from their recent belief that it would be better to trade Davis in the summertime. The Hornets originally planned to hold off on moving Davis until he returned from injury and built up some renewed trade value. It is now more likely than not, sources said, that the 25-year-old is moved before Thursday's deadline.

 

Davis, who returned to the Hornets' lineup Wednesday in a home loss to Seattle, appeared in only 17 of New Orleans' first 53 games because of back, heel and ankle ailments.

 

The former UCLA star would relish a move to his home state, according to sources, where Davis would be paired with Jason Richardson in a potentially high-scoring backcourt.

 

Davis returned to practice Monday and told ESPN.com after the workout that last week's criticism from coach Byron Scott about the speed of his recovery from an ankle injury made him feel unwanted by the Hornets.

 

Baron Davis (left) has made noise about wanting out of New Orleans, and he might get his wish.

 

Yet Davis insisted he wouldn't personally push for a deal before the deadline and that he'll have no problems playing for Scott if there's no deal. That's even though, according to Davis, the two didn't speak at Monday's workout.

 

"I think it is getting to a point to where I just don't feel like I'm wanted (by New Orleans)," Davis told ESPN.com on Monday night. "I have a great relationship with my teammates, but at certain times I do feel that way -- I'm not going to lie. But I'm here to play basketball, and play as hard as I can. Once I'm 100 percent and back on the court, Byron will coach and I'll respect him as my coach. I'm going to listen to my coach like I've always done."

 

Davis' name has been mentioned in trade speculation since the summer, when his agent, Todd Ramasar, suggested Davis was disappointed by the Hornets' quiet offseason and might seek a trade elsewhere.

 

Davis left the Hornets for Los Angeles earlier this month to rehabilitate the heel and ankle while the club was away on a West Coast trip. Just before the All-Star break, with Davis scheduled to rejoin the team on Feb. 11, Davis suggested he might benefit from more rehab time in L.A. to improve his lateral movement. Scott angrily sent word to Davis to stay in his hometown.

 

"I wasn't happy and I didn't want to hear any more, so I said, 'Let him stay in L.A. and do whatever he's doing,' " Scott said. "There was no reason for him to be here, honestly, the way guys are connecting right now."

 

Jamal Mashburn, who might never play again because of ongoing knee trouble, faced similar criticism from the Hornets last season for rehabbing at home near Miami instead of in New Orleans with the Hornets. Davis, though, said he would have returned to the team if he had been summoned back and came away "shocked" by Scott's contention that the 11-43 Hornets -- 9-14 since Jan. 7 -- might not need him around now.

 

"I was just shocked because it was a (knock) on my character," Davis said. "I've always been a person to play hurt. I've played hurt in the playoffs. So I was a little upset at first, but at the same time, that's his opinion.

 

"I came back (Monday) because I'm getting closer to playing, so I felt it's good to be back with my team and let them see my progress, even though nobody called and asked me about it. I am on the right path. Everything is getting stronger. But I'm not going to rush back for anybody if I feel like I'm not ready."

 

In spite of the injuries, Davis said he weighs about 215 pounds, roughly 10 pounds below his listed weight. The feeling among some general managers around the league is that the Hornets have grown increasingly open to trading Davis because of the progress of recent pickup Dan Dickau.

 

"My main thing right now is just getting back out on that court and showing people I'm still one of the best players in this league," said Davis, who has $63 million over four seasons left on his contract after this season.

[qwerty]

Awful deal for a team that is in a ''youth movement''. Well, like i said earlier. My boy j.r. smith will be the face of the hornets franchise.

Edited February 24, 2005 by qwerty

[DBAHO]

Well they might as well play Dickau and see if he can be the starting point guard long - term, so they don't have to draft one if they have the #1 pick at the draft, and focus on either Williams or Bogut. I've got a feeling Biedinis will be involved as well, or maybe even Mickael Pietrus, or maybe some future firsts?

[qwerty]

Well they might as well play Dickau and see if he can be the starting point guard long - term, so they don't have to draft one if they have the #1 pick at the draft, and focus on either Williams or Bogut. I've got a feeling Biedinis will be involved as well, or maybe even Mickael Pietrus, or maybe some future firsts?

 

Makes no sense for the warriors either. They have the point guard position filled pretty well, why get another? How about getting an actual center.

[hammerhead johnson]

Makes no sense for the warriors either. They have the point guard position filled pretty well, why get another? How about getting an actual center.

 

The last all-star caliber center for the Golden State Warriors was Joe Barry Carroll (1980-1986).

 

Since then, they've only drafted 3 centers in the first round.

 

1986: Chris Washburn (3rd Overall Pick)

1997: Adonal Foyle (8th Overall Pick)

1999: Jeff Foster (21st Overall Pick)

 

Foster never played a game for them, and the Washburn is one of the biggest busts in NBA Draft history. Foyle never gets minutes. The guy has been around for 8 years already? 8 years? WTF.

 

Dampier was pretty good, but nothing special. They got him from the Pacers in 1996.

 

It looks like they're cursed. They're like the Bears when it comes to quarterbacks.

 

God damn, the 2001 Draft:

 

1 - Jason Richardson, Michigan St.

1 - Troy Murphy, Notre Dame

2 - Gilbert Arenas, Arizona

 

And they had both Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes on the same team as these guys.

 

When healthy (Murphy especially), could you say that all 5 of those guys are all-star caliber players? It wouldn't be a ridiculous claim. Before Murphy got injured, he was averaging 16 points and 11 boards per contest. His defense is nothing to brag about, however.

Edited February 24, 2005 by hammerhead johnson

[qwerty]

What f*** heads. They keep foyle over jamison, huges, arenas, and then they sign foyle to possibly the worst contract this off-season.

[DBAHO]

What f*** heads. They keep foyle over jamison, huges, arenas, and then they sign foyle to possibly the worst contract this off-season.

Chris Mullin basically panicked. He lost Dampier and vastly overpaid for his backup in Foyle, who just doesn't fit Montgomery's scheme on the offense. And maybe now they'll trade Clayton or Fisher for a big if they can. Clayton for Melvin Ely perhaps?

[backman]

baron and j rich thats an awsome scoring back court, i think the warriers would improve heavily, in the next couple of seasons.

[DBAHO]

The last all-star caliber center for the Golden State Warriors was Joe Barry Carroll (1980-1986).

 

Since then, they've only drafted 3 centers in the first round.

 

1986: Chris Washburn (3rd Overall Pick)

1997: Adonal Foyle (8th Overall Pick)

1999: Jeff Foster (21st Overall Pick)

 

Foster never played a game for them, and the Washburn is one of the biggest busts in NBA Draft history.  Foyle never gets minutes.  The guy has been around for 8 years already?  8 years?  WTF.

 

Dampier was pretty good, but nothing special.  They got him from the Pacers in 1996.

 

It looks like they're cursed.  They're like the Bears when it comes to quarterbacks.

 

God damn, the 2001 Draft:

 

1 - Jason Richardson, Michigan St.

1 - Troy Murphy, Notre Dame

2 - Gilbert Arenas, Arizona

 

And they had both Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes on the same team as these guys.

 

When healthy (Murphy especially), could you say that all 5 of those guys are all-star caliber players?  It wouldn't be a ridiculous claim.  Before Murphy got injured, he was averaging 16 points and 11 boards per contest.  His defense is nothing to brag about, however.

I remember that team well, Eric Musselman was the coach, and they were a team on the rise. The problems were though, Erick Dampier played like he did when he first got his big deal, and they were just terrible on defense. If Arenas wasn't a 2nd round pick, he'd still be a Warrior this day, and they wouldn't have Fisher or Clayton, and wouldn't be as screwed up. Him signing with the Wizards really set them back.

 

But Davis if he can stay injury free and get back to his best form will be a HUGE boost for this team. I remember for the first 2 months of last season, he exploded early and was easily the best fantasy player in the league.

[WilliamTell]

Maybe getting Davis will help solve all the problems out there. Either way I don't see them doing anything in the strong west for years.