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MavsFanFinley · 06-17-2004, 10:46 PM

Dampier hopes to decide next week whether to stay with Warriors

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
June 17, 2004

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Golden State center Erick Dampier expects to decide by the end of next week whether to stay with the Warriors or opt out of his contract.

The 29-year-old Dampier is coming off the most productive season in his eight-year career. He averaged a double-double with 12.3 points and 12.0 rebounds while also blocking 1.85 shots in 32.5 minutes per game.

``I'm going to think about it over the weekend and probably decide by the end of next week,'' Dampier told The Associated Press on Thursday in a telephone interview from Mississippi, where he lives in the offseason.

Dampier certainly would have interest from other teams. He ranked fourth in the league in rebounding and seventh with 42 double-doubles.

Dampier said he would fly to California early next week to meet with his new agent, Dan Fegan, in Los Angeles.

``We'll see what's going to happen, look at the different scenarios and make a decision from there,'' Dampier said.

Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said Thursday in a media session leading up to next Thursday's NBA Draft that Dampier was still under contract for now.

Mullin hasn't had any discussions with Dampier's agent and acknowledged whether Dampier is still part of the team would likely influence the Warriors' focus in the draft.

``I would like to know,'' Mullin said. ``But that's his right right now.''

Golden State has the 11th overall pick in the draft.

Dampier came to the Warriors before the 1997-98 season in a trade with Indiana that sent Mullin to the Pacers. Mullin's last season as a player was in 2000-01.

He took over in his new position in late April, then fired coach Eric Musselman last month and replaced him with longtime Stanford coach Mike Montgomery. Rod Higgins was also named general manager.

The Warriors finished 37-45 this past season, often playing with several players sidelined with injuries, and missed the playoffs for the 10th straight time.

``I'm sure Chris Mullin has a sense where he wants to take the team,'' Dampier said. ``I met Mike once but haven't really had a chance to talk to him. They have some key pieces to the puzzle, definitely some pieces they need to keep in tact. Who knows what they're going to do?''

06-17-2004, 10:46 PM	#1
MavsFanFinley Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: California Posts: 16,670	Dampier hopes to decide next week Dampier hopes to decide next week whether to stay with Warriors By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer June 17, 2004 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Golden State center Erick Dampier expects to decide by the end of next week whether to stay with the Warriors or opt out of his contract. The 29-year-old Dampier is coming off the most productive season in his eight-year career. He averaged a double-double with 12.3 points and 12.0 rebounds while also blocking 1.85 shots in 32.5 minutes per game. ``I'm going to think about it over the weekend and probably decide by the end of next week,'' Dampier told The Associated Press on Thursday in a telephone interview from Mississippi, where he lives in the offseason. Dampier certainly would have interest from other teams. He ranked fourth in the league in rebounding and seventh with 42 double-doubles. Dampier said he would fly to California early next week to meet with his new agent, Dan Fegan, in Los Angeles. ``We'll see what's going to happen, look at the different scenarios and make a decision from there,'' Dampier said. Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said Thursday in a media session leading up to next Thursday's NBA Draft that Dampier was still under contract for now. Mullin hasn't had any discussions with Dampier's agent and acknowledged whether Dampier is still part of the team would likely influence the Warriors' focus in the draft. ``I would like to know,'' Mullin said. ``But that's his right right now.'' Golden State has the 11th overall pick in the draft. Dampier came to the Warriors before the 1997-98 season in a trade with Indiana that sent Mullin to the Pacers. Mullin's last season as a player was in 2000-01. He took over in his new position in late April, then fired coach Eric Musselman last month and replaced him with longtime Stanford coach Mike Montgomery. Rod Higgins was also named general manager. The Warriors finished 37-45 this past season, often playing with several players sidelined with injuries, and missed the playoffs for the 10th straight time. ``I'm sure Chris Mullin has a sense where he wants to take the team,'' Dampier said. ``I met Mike once but haven't really had a chance to talk to him. They have some key pieces to the puzzle, definitely some pieces they need to keep in tact. Who knows what they're going to do?'' __________________