Posts tagged ‘free agency’

Baron Davis started his Warriors career with bang, leading the squad to a winning record in the aftermath of his trade from the New Orleans Hornets in 2005, while setting up big expectations for the future.

It appears now though B.D. will depart GSW with similar fanfare. Davis opted out of his contract Monday night, scheduled to pay him $17.8 million this upcoming season, for the greener pastures of unrestricted free agency.

The only question is whether this move will enable Davis to get the greenbacks he feels he so richly deserves.

In a sense, you could see this coming. Last summer, Baron had a much publicized encounter with former Lakers star/G.M./NBA Logo Jerry West.

West told Baron to stop sniping about a contract extension, play the string out and see where it all lands.

Davis did that, responding with 21.8 points, 7.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game, leading the Dubs to a 48 win season. In spite of having a record better than four Eastern Conference squads, the Warriors failed to make the playoffs in the uber-competitive Western Conference and ended up in the lottery for the 15th time in team history.

Warriors G.M. Chris Mullin has kept a hardline of late when it comes to signing long-term extensions, after the terrible deals issued to Troy Murphy, Adonal Foyle and Mike Dunleavy.

So the hardball play by Warriors management was expected. Davis’ response, though, has everyone thrown off-guard.

Rumors abound about Davis heading to the Clippers to join Elton Brand, who also opted out of his contract, to set up a version of Celtics-west.

Speculation aside, Davis’ apparent departure will certainly stifle the Warriors’ chances of getting back into the playoff hunt next season.

After their incredible showing in the 2007 postseason, all signs posted towards a Warriors run for a conference title. But this news only rams home the point that windows of opportunity are fleeting and the Warriors chances for a title may still be years away.