Here's the scenario, Crawford opts out next offseason.  Now the W's have a choice many thought they may not have after our recent spending spree.  If the W's void Monta's contract, they suddenly have $20 mil less on their payroll.  They now have enough to potentially sign a legit 4, or even to trade for one and take back more contract.  Could they sign Boozer?  Would Philly trade Brand for the cap space, since he's not working out, and try to find a better fit for their team? 

Strategically, we could actually negotiate with players or teams before voiding the contract.  If no deals can get done, you don't need to void.  If you have a deal in place, you could void.  So, do you try to acquire a 4, knowing that you'd have to void Monta's contract to make it work?

Monta is back!  Soon enough we may have all our guards/forwards healthy and playing together.  Obviously with with offseason signing of Maggette and the trade of Harrington for Crawford, along with extending Monta, Buike and Jax, we have quite a few of our most talented and expensive players at the same positions.  This begs the question, "How do we handle the logjam?"

Here are the numbers-  $42mm of next years projected $59mm payroll is being spent on our smalls, 71%.  That does not include resigning CJ. 

Our 5 leading scorers are smalls and 8 of our 9 leading scorers are smalls.  Of these players, only Jackson and Maggette are taller than 6'5" and might truly be considered small forwards.

None of our players has proven to be able to run a team at the point in the NBA and yet 8 of our players are listed as guards on the roster. 

Which leads one to conclude that we have a whole lot of 2 guards.  Some that can play the point, some that can slide over to the 3, but most of whom are ideally suited for the 2 spot. 

The good news is that we have some very good players that will help us win games and that many of our quality young guards may be of interest to other teams. 

So, again, how do we handle the logjam?

Ray Felton from Charlotte for a package including either Wright or Randolph.

This, according the the Charlotte Observer:  "The Warriors and Bobcats have had discussions about Felton, an NBA source told the Observer, and the Warriors appear open to giving up either Randolph or Wright to make a deal work"

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/story/421713.html

I, for one, have long thought that Felton would be an obvious target for trade.  First, the Bobcats drafted Augustin with the 9th pick, leading to the obvious issue of two starting point guards.  Second, most NBA teams don't have point guard depth to trade.  Third, the Bobcats have lots of other needs.  And fourth, they didn't extend his contract, making him easier to trade.

I've also thought the W's would be a good destination.  He's very fast, probably as fast as Monta.  He's a good ball handler.  He's a very "pesky" defender, which is to say he's a strong defender in most areas but lacks height and can be posted up.  He's a true 1.  He's great in transition.  He's great with the pick and roll.  He can get to the hoop and he can create for other players. 

This is exactly what the W's are lacking, IMHO.  Additionally he's young but mature.  The obvious questions are 1)  Is it an equitable trade, or, are we giving up too much; 2) how will he fit with Monta, or, isn't that a really small backcourt?; and 3) Is there enough playing time in our backcourt, or, how many freaking smalls do we need?

Personally, I say make the trade, I really like Felton and think he'd be a good fit.  I think Nellie could use his offense again, we'd have a very fast backcourt, we could start running again, and he fits in with a long term youth oriented approach.  Charlotte's gotten good production out of him and Augustin in the backcourt at the same time and Monta is not a 1, he's a 2.  Finally, it provides more incentive to trade one of our swing men who make a lot of money and duplicate each other.  I say, make it happen!