Without another move, Harrington and Azubuike might be on outside looking in for Warriors

August 4, 1:11 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Monta Ellis: Big-minute guy

The Warriors can't be done making moves.

If they are finished, then something’s got to give. Either coach Don Nelson is fibbing about playing the youngsters or there are going to be a couple unhappy campers on board the good ship Warrior in 2008-09.

If Nelson keeps his word and gives playing time to second-year players Marco Belinelli and Brandan Wright and rookie Anthony Randolph then there’s bound to be an uncomfortable minutes issue.

Take note Kelenna Azubuike and Al Harrington.

It’s math, really. Any way you cut it, Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette and Stephen Jackson are going to get big minutes. Ellis played 38 minutes per game last season and his minutes aren’t going to go down now that he’s the franchise player.
 

Marcus Williams

Jackson played 39 minutes per game last season and as long as he’s a Warrior he’ll be around that number. Can you imagine his disposition if he’s not?

Maggette averaged 36 minutes a game last year for the L.A. Clippers, and he certainly didn’t sign with the Warriors to take less of a role or less playing time.

It isn’t clear where Azubuike, who averaged 21 minutes per game last season, will get his minutes.

Marcus Williams is the only true point guard on the roster so he’s going to have to see action at the one. And it’s too optimistic to think he’s going to get Ellis’ leftover dozen minutes and nothing else.

In other words, Williams is going to gobble up all the backup point guard minutes and maybe some leftover minutes at two.

But let’s move to the frontcourt, where Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf should get all the playing time at center.
 

Where are Al's minutes?

That leaves the power forward position, where Nelson has guaranteed playing time and opportunity to Wright. Twenty minutes per night about defines playing time and opportunity.

Randolph, one of the most intriguing first-round selections in years, has to be worked in somewhere. If he plays small forward, he’ll cut into Azubuike’s already limited minutes, and if he plays power forward, it’s Harrington who is squeezed.

Seems as though one of three things has to happen:

--The Warriors are going to make another move _ a likely 2-for-1; or

--The Warriors aren’t really going to play their young players as much as they are saying; or

--The Warriors are going to play their young players, meaning Harrington (who will make more than $9 million this season) and Azubuike (whom you just re-signed for more than $3 million per season) are going to be high-priced end-of-rotation players.