With both Jackson and Maggette, Warriors are taking their chances

July 14, 12:44 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Stephen Jackson 

It seems pretty obvious the Warriors are exploring ways to trade forward Al Harrington and the two remaining years on his contract. In his year-and-a-half with the team, Harrington has failed to win over coach Don Nelson, and it’s conceivable his role could shrink even more in 2008-09.

This, of course, is known throughout the NBA, which makes getting equal value for Harrington difficult for Warriors team president Robert Rowell and executive vice president Chris Mullin. That’s why a couple of weeks ago it was suggested that Stephen Jackson, with a better game and salary than Harrington, might be a better trading option for Golden State.

But now with the Warriors signing Corey Maggette to a five-year contract, it might be imperative to move Jackson. While it’s natural for fans and front offices to be optimistic in the offseason, the Warriors’ current make-up is a little unsettling.

Jackson has been invaluable to the Warriors since his arrival in January 2007. He’s been a team leader, big-shot maker, defensive standout (at least on the Warriors) and secondary playmaker. There are some who suggest Jackson is the key to the Warriors.

Corey Maggette

Well, the Warriors just let Jackson’s best friend on the team, Baron Davis, get away for nothing. And the Warriors replaced Davis, a point guard, with a guy who essentially plays the same position as Jackson.

Oh, and the Warriors are paying Maggette more than Jackson. That may not sit well with Jackson, who knows darn well the team went 46-27 when he was in the lineup last year. If he doesn’t know it, he can find it in a few places in the Warriors’ postseason media guide, the franchise’s way of accentuating Jackson’s value.

Every Warrior fan knows Jackson likes to make plays, probably too much. He can give you high shot attempts, high assists, high turnovers and high volatility all in the same game. To put it bluntly, he needs to be in on the action, and give him credit: his track record for delivering for Golden State has been quite good.

He has every right to expect that more of the offense should run through him now that Davis is gone and there is no heir apparent … at least not yet. But does anyone other than Jackson really want that? What about starting talks on a contract extension?
 

Al Harrington 

Jackson certainly has the right to ask, considering Monta Ellis, Maggette and Harrington all are going to be making more money than him. But let’s get back on the court, where Jackson and Maggette wouldn’t seem to complement each other too well.

Maggette is as aggressive as any player in the league. He wants the ball, demands the ball and mostly goes to the bucket or shoots it when he gets it. Don’t forget, Maggette averaged 22 points per game last season. He is a bona-fine scorer and those guys need the ball.

In his first year after signing as a free agent, no doubt Maggette will want to prove his worth, and good for him. But any way you cut it, Jackson and Maggette are two players who love to have the ball in their hands and need it in their hands to be at their most effective.

It’s not exactly going out on a limb to forsee (insert word here: issues, power struggles, tension, incompatibility. And if you don't like those feel free to e-mail me yours. To top it off, it will be Ellis' responsibility to try to manage and balance that.

Not exactly the easiest way for Ellis to get started on the PG duties. But that one's for later.