Is Shawn Marion another player Warriors don't have wherewithal to make run at?

November 30, 6:59 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Shawn Marion: Could the Warriors even if they wanted to? 

Looks as if Miami is really trying to move Shawn Marion these days.

(Boston Globe Link)

Another guy the Warriors can’t really get in on unless they are willing to part with Monta Ellis or Anthony Randolph.

Here’s what I’m submitting: Marion is just the type of player the Warriors can no longer make a run at because of their salary structure.

More specifically: A Marion-type of player is someone who may or may not be nearing the end of his contract and is making significant money.

In some instances a player like that can help turn your franchise around or at least significantly improve your salary cap outlook.

Of course, it’s easy to say the Warriors have no interest in Marion, and that would certainly forestall the argument.

But there are always Marions, here and there over the course of NBA seasons. Baron Davis was once a Marion.

Marion is making $17.8 million and is on the last year of his deal.

You don’t need to study the Heat roster up and down and try to get deep into president Pat Riley’s way of thinking to figure out some basics.

The Heat likely want back a legitimate player and also ensure that their salary structure is not compromised in the process.

Riley has always been a win-now guy, and who knows, the Warriors could have sated that part of him and not hindered anything long-term, either.

But that was before. Not anymore.

You don’t think a Corey Maggette-and-Stephen Jackson (without the contract extension, of course) package for Marion would have gotten a conversation started between the teams?

And imagine if you still had Al Harrington. You might have been able to get Riley to become inquisitive about a Harrington-Maggette deal for Marion and another lesser player.

Harrington had an opt-out after this season. And even if he didn’t exercise it, $10-plus million would still be coming off the Heat’s books at the end of 2010.

That's a pretty big offseason.

Maggette’s just the kind of player Riley probably thinks he could transform into a winner.

Maybe a deal for Marion would have had to include Jackson. You know Riley probably loves the experience and competitiveness Jackson brings to the table.

A Jackson-and-Maggette for Marion trade might not be the end product, but it would certainly get the ball rolling, no?

Make that WOULD have gotten the ball rolling.

That kind of deal, however, now with both Maggette and Jackson each under contract for five years is a no-can-do for Riley. That’s obvious.

Bottom line: Stephen Jackson with less than two years remaining on his contract is significantly more valuable than Stephen Jackson with five years left.

Anyone want to try to tell me differently on that, I'm all ears.

Look, the big worry is that because of the Maggette signing and the Jackson extension and Crawford (three more years) acquisition that the Warriors have really boxed themselves in some and cost themselves flexibility.

 The retort, of course is that anyone or any contract can be traded.

We'll see.

Because even with Monta Ellis, it's hard to argue for this team as is.

IF NELLIE IS THROWING IN THE TOWEL, HE'S GOT TO COACH DIFFERENTLY