NVE and Dampier for Wallace ?

[DNNF]

Van Exel trade bait?
Rumored deal: Dampier, point guard for Wallace

Brad Weinstein, Chronicle Staff Writer


Nick Van Exel's agent said Thursday that there was a better than 50 percent chance that the Warriors will deal the high-priced point guard before the NBA's trade deadline.

Tony Dutt put the odds at 60-40 that Van Exel, the centerpiece of the team's offseason makeover, will be moved before Feb. 19.

"My gut feeling is that they're going to try to make a deal that makes sense for Nick and makes sense for them,'' Dutt said in a telephone interview from Houston, where Van Exel has spent the week dealing with a family matter. An injured Van Exel is expected to be in the Bay Area today, but when he plays again is uncertain.

Warriors general manager Garry St. Jean did not return a call seeking comment.

As the deadline approaches, Van Exel figures to be the subject of several trade rumors. His playoff success with the Dallas Mavericks last season and reputation for hitting clutch shots make him attractive to championship contenders. Also, his hefty contract is close to expiring.

Van Exel's health, however, remains an issue. He has struggled with a knee injury all season, which has affected his production, limited him to 30 games and set back the Warriors (19-25) in their quest to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1993-94.

Van Exel, 32, has missed the last seven games because of inflammation in his left knee. He initially targeted Monday's game at Memphis for his return, but has not worked out with the team since being placed on the injured list Jan. 15. The Warriors are scheduled to practice one more time, on Saturday, before playing the Grizzlies.

Dutt said if a deal was completed, it likely would happen "really close'' to the deadline, which comes four days after the All-Star Game and at a time when teams have played about 60 percent of their season.

Without getting into specifics, Dutt said he has had "really good dialogue'' with members of the Warriors' front office.

"I think you can't discount anything right now,'' Dutt said.

On Thursday, speculation circulated that Golden State and Portland had discussed a trade involving Van Exel, Warriors center Erick Dampier and the Trail Blazers' mercurial Rasheed Wallace, 29, the talented but inconsistent forward who is being paid a reported $17 million in the final year of his contract.

The Blazers lack depth at center, and they just watched a surging Dampier burn them for 18 points and 20 rebounds in the Warriors' 105-87 victory Saturday in Portland. In addition, the Blazers need another point guard after trading Jeff McInnis to Cleveland on Jan. 21.

Dampier, whom the Warriors are pushing for All-Star consideration, can opt out of the last two years of his contract (worth about $17 million) and become a free agent after the season. He has maintained all season that he has not decided what he will do.

Van Exel also can test the market this summer. He is making $10.9 million this season, and his contract includes an $11.8 million player option for 2004- 05 and a $12.9 million team option for 2005-06.

St. Jean and Warriors President Robert Rowell are believed to have met with Blazers GM John Nash on Saturday, but the nature of their discussion is not known.

Dutt said "there is no question'' that the Blazers have talked trade with the Warriors, which is standard procedure around the league at this point in the season.

"You get so much going on at this time of the year that there is a lot of unknown yet,'' Dutt said. "Everybody is talking to everybody. It's no different than any other year. I think you can sit there and say, 'Yes, there will be some moves this year.' At the same time, at the end of the day, how many of them get done?''

[ddh33]

Interesting rumor.

If it happens, I can't help but ask, "What are the Warriors doing?" It's really starting to look like they don't know if they're coming or going. You know Rasheed won't re-up there. They would be trading two starters for a two month rental and be left with nothing to show for it. Sure, they may have caproom, but guys don't exactly line up to play there. In fact, most guys just want out.

[kg_veteran]

Unless they really expect Dampier to walk, I can't understand why they'd do that.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
Unless they really expect Dampier to walk, I can't understand why they'd do that.

Exactly. No one expected Dunleavy to be as good as Jamison- they knew they were trading away quality. They just knew they werent going to be able to re-sign Arenas so they needed a good point guard because if you subscribe to traditional strategy, the first two things you need are a quality dish-man and a quality center. They already knew Dampier was a quality big man and they just wanted to try to replace Arenas and Boykins at the one.

Dampier is a borderline allstar this year and has been HUGE in every win the Warriors have had.

Among other things
Ranks #4 in the NBA in Rebounds Per Game(11.5)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds(201.0)
Ranks #12 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds(307.0)
Ranks #4 in the NBA in Total Rebounds(508.0)
Ranks #6 in the NBA in Double-doubles(23.0)
Ranks #6 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(10.4)
Ranks #7 in the NBA in Field-Goal Percentage(0.509)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds Per Game(4.6)
Ranks #11 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds Per Game(7.0)
Ranks #18 in the NBA in Blocks(72.0)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(6.8)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(17.2)

He is a god at rebounding, he's an above average defender, he scores fluidly, and he averages more than a block and a half a game.

Rasheed is not in the top 20 in any of those things.

[Dirkenstien]

This trade instantly makes Portland competitive this year. Dampier and Randolph manning the middle is a scary thought.

[Lvubun1]

Originally posted by: ddh33
Interesting rumor.

If it happens, I can't help but ask, "What are the Warriors doing?" It's really starting to look like they don't know if they're coming or going. You know Rasheed won't re-up there. They would be trading two starters for a two month rental and be left with nothing to show for it. Sure, they may have caproom, but guys don't exactly line up to play there. In fact, most guys just want out.

I agree, and it gets worse, actually I heard on ESPN radio the deal is NVE/Dampier/Murphy and protected #1 for Wallace and Patterson. Damp, Zach, and Murphy could dominate the middle for the next decade. Nick even with his bad knees is a huge-upgrade from Damon "MIghty Joint" Stoudmire and like he did with Dampier he could help Zach take a step to the next level. I don't get it from G.S, cap room is the most overrated thing in Basketball. Even more so on a team like G.S who has the longest playoff drought in all of sports, I don't see players knocking over each other to go their. No way in hell Kobe goes their or Nash or any other top FA. Its almost like Nick was sent to prison and he is now getting paroled for good behavior, he helped Damp, didn't demand a trade or complain in the media, and he is being rewarded by getting dealt.

[Poindexter Einstein]

"NVE/Dampier/Murphy and protected #1 for Wallace and Patterson"

Cant see GS doing that. Too much for too little.

[Max Power]

Horrible trade for Golden State but I guess they are committed to following the Denver path - burn the team to the ground and start over.

[Speedy]

Originally posted by: Poindexter Einstein
"NVE/Dampier/Murphy and protected #1 for Wallace and Patterson"

Cant see GS doing that. Too much for too little.

Agree. If GS is offering Damp/Nick/Troy and a 1st rounder, and given the shortage of quality big men and pg's, then every team in the league would be trying to put together a offer for that package right now.