Bob Finnan of the Morning Journal recently weighed in on the Delonte West situation, suggesting that the Golden State Warriors may be in competition for his services. The Warriors have yet to resign their own restricted free agents Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis, and have been linked in some rumors to Philadelphia restricted free agent Louis Williams. Read on:
The Cavs’ next order of business is to attempt to sign point guard Delonte West, another restricted free agent. West’s agent, Noah Croom, wisely waited to see what kind of contract Gibson received. Now, he’ll likely ask for more money than Gibson got because West is the Cavs’ starting point guard.
He’ll likely ask for Udrih-type money because he’s arguably as good as the Kings’ guard.
Unlike Gibson, West may generate some interest from other teams. Golden State apparently thinks West would look great running up and down the court with the Warriors.
That’s probably where the Monta Ellis rumors have come from. Ellis, the athletic scoring machine with the Warriors, is also restricted. The Cavs are enamored with Ellis’ talents. Sources say the Warriors aren’t about to let Ellis leave the team after Baron Davis bolted for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Ellis’ camp is asking for a reported $10 million a season.
The Cavs might not have the assets it would take to pry loose the 6-foot-3 Ellis from Golden State.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that West might be close to signing an offer sheet, although it might not be with the Cavs. The Cavs, of course, can match any offer West gets.
During negotiations with West, the Cavs are likely lining up possible replacements just to cover their backs. One possible alternative could be Orlando’s Carlos Arroyo. Both are available after the Magic signed veteran Anthony Johnson to be the backup to starter Jameer Nelson.
Certainly an interesting read from Bob Finnan, but I’m skeptical that the Warriors would get into a bidding war for a restricted free agent when they are going to have their own financial worries having yet to resign Ellis and Biedrins. And if the Warriors are honestly considering working a sign and trade that involved West and Ellis switching teams, then they need to have their heads examined. Ellis is a far superior talent and younger to top it off. The only reasonable logic for making that move as Chris Mullin is that you’re trying to cut salary, and somehow I don’t think a team would put down 10 million dollars a year for Maggette if they were that concerned about their financial situation.
So summer league has come and gone, and the Cavs lost every game. But most were pleasantly surpised with the outcome. The big question going into the Summer League schedule was how would J.J. Hickson perform. Not many casual basketball fans had ever seen Hickson play and when the Cavaliers selected him with the 19th pick, many so-called “experts” were surprised. But Hickson showed the promise that Danny Ferry sees in him and strung together a very good five games. Let’s take a look at how Hickson performed in the five games:
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