2012 NBA power rankings: Warriors, Kings hope to improve with young teams

NBA experts have released their preseason power rankings ahead of Tuesday's opening night, and so far not much is expected from Sacramento or Golden State.

Harrison Barnes to start at small forward for Warriors this season

Warriors rookie Harrison Barnes will look to make an immediate impact.

Andrew Bogut injury: Warriors center practices, status still unclear

After months of offseason rehabilitation, Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut has been cleared to resume basketball-related activities.

NBA power rankings 2012: Golden State Warriors open season at No. 23

The Golden State Warriors will begin the 2012-2013 ranked No. 21 according to SB Nation's own Seth Rosenthal.

Warriors waive four players, get roster to 15

In preparation for their season opener, the Warriors trimmed their roster on Wednesday morning, waiving a pair of guards and a pair of forwards.

Stephen Curry injury: Sprain 'was just a weird, freak play'

Stephen Curry will miss the remainder of the preseason, but should be ready for the start of the regular season after rolling his right ankle.

Stephen Curry injury: Guard's ankle 'fine,' says coach

After leaving Friday's game with an ankle injury, Golden State's Stephen Curry reportedly avoided a serious injury, Warriors coach Mark Jackson told Sports Illustrated.

Warriors vs. Trail Blazers game recap: Golden State wins 101-97, but loses Stephen Curry

The Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, but Stephen Curry left the game with an ankle injury.

Andrew Bogut injury: Warriors center to have ankle examined

Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut will have his ankle examined Monday, but his status for opening night remains in doubt.

Warriors vs. Kings recap: Stephen Curry, Golden State beat Sacramento

Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a 98-88 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings to improve to 3-1.

Warriors' Mark Jackson says team can't wait for Andris Biedrins

Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson says the team can't wait for Andris Biedrins to get healthy.

Warriors preseason: Andrew Bogut cleared for contact drills

Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut continues to recover from ankle surgery and took a major step forward in his recovery as he was cleared for one-on-one contact drills on Monday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The former Utah Ute and Milwaukee Buck was acquired by the Warriors prior to the 2011-2012 trade deadline in March and has yet to play a game for the Warriors. Head coach Mark Jackson has remained hopeful that Bogut can play in at least one or two exhibition games in preparation for a full 82-game season.

"His presence alone makes a difference. He's doing all of the things he's supposed to do with rehab and treatment. He looks better and better every day. We're very happy with where he is right now, and we hope he'll be in a position to get some work prior to this thing starting."

Bogut has had a history of injuries, which he has labeled as freak ailments and not chronic. Still, he has to deal with the stigma that he is injury-prone and is anxious to prove himself to his new teammates as a reliable component.

The Warriors are in the midst of a self-induced nine-game road trip that is meant to prepare them for similar trips during the regular season.

Warriors preseason 2012: Golden State tops Haifa Maccabi 108-100

The Warriors remained undefeated in exhibition play with their win over Israeli professional team Maccabi Haifa.

Warriors, Kings given long odds to win NBA championship

The Warriors and Kings are long shots at winning an NBA championship this year.

Andrew Bogut injury: Warriors center still hoping to play in opener

Warriors center Andrew Bogut remains optimistic that he will be ready for the season opener against the Phoenix Suns.

Andrew Bogut eyes opening-night return

Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut is hoping to return to action in time for the team's Oct. 31 season opener against the Phoenix Suns as he recovers from a foot injury he suffered during the 2011-2012 season.

Bogut fractured his left foot on Jan. 25, while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, was subsequently traded to the Warriors and has yet to play a game for Golden State. He has not been cleared for 5-on-5 or full contact, but hopes to do so in the coming days.

"After the trade, you obviously want to be out there," Bogut told CSN Bay Area."That's the dangerous thing about these injuries. I can't let what other people are thinking and wanting affect the injury. I need to come back 100 percent. I want to be out there. I've thought of many scenarios, and I want to be 100 percent ready for that first game."

He is hoping to get the go-ahead to participate in full scrimmages within the next week. It will be an important step in the rehabilitation process for the former Utah Ute if he is going to have a chance to play come Oct. 31. If he cannot go, Festus Ezeli will start in his place.

Warriors to start Harrison Barnes at small forward on Thursday

Rookie small forward Harrison Barnes will get his first start for the Golden State Warriors against Maccabi Haifa on Thursday.

Stephen Curry injury update: Guard to play Monday night

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry will play Monday night against the Utah Jazz, marking the first time he has played in a game in seven months, CSN Bay Area reports.

Curry has been sidelined with a sprained right ankle that caused him to miss a majority of last season. Curry played in 26 games in the lockout-shortened season in 2011-12. He averaged 14.7 points per game and 5.3 assists per game.

Warriors coach Mark Jackson held Curry out of Sunday's preseason game against the Lakers. Jackson has limited Curry throughout practice to make sure he doesn't aggravate his rehabilitating ankle. He said he wanted Curry to return from his injury in front of the home crowd.

Curry last played on March 11. He was given medical clearance to partake in all basketball activities on Sept. 20.

The Warriors opened the preseason with a 110-83 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Warriors preseason: Harrison Barnes, Klay Thompson impress

Golden State received solid performances from two of their youngest players on Sunday.

Stephen Curry held out of Warriors first preseason game

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry wanted to play on Sunday, but head coach Mark Jackson stuck to his guns.

Warriors preseason: Mark Jackson unsure of Stephen Curry's playing time

Warriors head coach Mark Jackson doesn't want to overwork his point guard in the preseason, but Stephen Curry is eager to get back on the court.

Warriors holding open practice Oct. 13

The Golden State Warriors will open their doors to the public for practice on October 13.

Warriors training camp: Klay Thompson trying to be more efficient, accurate

Second-year pro sees his "role changing" this season.

Warriors look for best fit, not necessarily best player at starting small forward

With Harrison Barnes, Richard Jefferson and Brandon Rush competing at small forward, the starter may end up being the player who fits into the lineup best, not the best overall player.

Mark Jackson won't guarantee a Warriors playoff berth in 2012

Warriors head coach Mark Jackson made sure to avoid making any guarantees about his 2012 team.

Mark Jackson says there's nothing to training camp lineups

After putting together a group that looked a lot like a starting lineup preview, Warriors head coach Mark Jackson suggested there's little rhyme or reason to the groups he's putting on the floor in training camp.

Stephen Curry, Warriors taking it easy to start training camp

Curry enters training camp after undergoing multiple ankle surgeries the past few years. He will take practices slow until he feels he is ready to push it in a game-like situation.

Andris Biedrins thinks he can return to strong play

The Warriors could receive a big boost in 2012 if Andris Biedrins can return to form.

Stephen Curry injury: Warriors ease guard back into practice

The Golden State Warriors and head coach Mark Jackson are easing point guard Stephen Curry back into practice, as he participated in only half of the morning workouts.

Andrew Bogut injury: Warriors center not yet cleared to play, Andris Biedrins ready to help

Warriors big man Andrew Bogut is yet to be cleared to play 5-on-5, though backup Andris Beidrins is hoping that he can step in and contribute.

Stephen Curry on possibility of missing opener: 'Not a chance'

Warriors guard Stephen Curry had ankle issues which kept him out of 40 games last season but says he won't miss the 2012-2013 season-opener.

Health of Stephen Curry, Andrew Bogut among Warriors top concerns

Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut are returning to the NBA after being out a majority of the prior season due to ankle injuries.

5 questions concerning the Golden State Warriors

CSN Bay Area's Matt Steinmetz breaks down five glaring questions the Golden State Warriors have heading into their 2012 campaign.

Bob Myers on Warriors offseason: 'Ask me at the end of the season'

Bob Myers met with the media Thursday and discussed a wide range of topics.

Warriors coach Mark Jackson: 'You don't really have to be creative'

Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson doesn't think he'll have to be any more creative with this season's Warriors squad than he was with last year's team.

Warriors sign Carlon Brown, Lance Goulbourne, Tarence Kinsey, Rick Jackson

The Golden State Warriors signed guard Carlon Brown, wing players Lance Goulbourne and Tarence Kinsey and forward Rick Jackson.

Stephen Curry, Agent Feel Good About Extension Possibilities

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and his agent are working hard to get a contract extension before training camp ends. Curry will be a restricted free agent in 2013, meaning other teams can attempt to sign him although the Warriors will have a chance to match all offers. Curry seems to be looking to ensure his future in Golden State regardless, and is trying to ensure that a deal gets made.

Matt Steinmetz has more on the situation at CSN Bay Area:

"I’m very optimistic about getting a deal done," said Lance Young, Curry’s representative. "I think we can get something done by the 31st (Oct. 31, the deadline for Curry to sign a deal)."

The big concern with Curry is the ankle problems that have plagued him throughout his career. This could probably make Golden State a little concerned as to how much money they should end up committing -- and how many years they should count on -- until they're certain of his health. Curry recognized as much during camp.

"They’ve had some talks," said Curry, who was participating in a father/son basketball camp at St. Ignatius High School. "But obviously they (Warriors) want to protect themselves and want to see during training camp. And I have no problem with that."

The Warriors are expected to extend Curry, though. It's just a question of how much and for how long.

Talk about Curry and his agent with Dubs fans at Golden State of Mind, and hit up the SB Nation NBA hub for more comprehensive pro basketball coverage.

Warriors Offseason: Who's Starting At Small Forward?

The start of the NBA season is rapidly approaching, and the Golden State Warriors have a lot of new players to work into the fold this year. Sure, Andrew Bogut is going to be the starting, along with Stephen Curry and David Lee. But one position that may be up for grabs this year is the starting small forward role, which could go to a number of guys on the squad.

Mark Jackson has a tough choice here. Rookie Harrison Barnes could be a good fit, though might need a bit more polishing before getting starters minutes with this club. Brandon Rush has voiced his desire to be the starter, though was a big asset last year as Golden State's sixth man.

Here, CSN Bay Area's Matt Steinmetz makes a case for veteran Richard Jefferson to get the starting job:

I think Jefferson figures in the equation, and could be the starter...That wouldn't be hard to see, considering Rush often provided a spark last year as a leader of the team's second unit. Under that scenario, it makes sense to start Jefferson, who shot 42 percent from 3-point range last season and brings much-needed experience to the team.

Using Jefferson sparingly with ample doses of Rush throughout the game could be a nice 1-2 punch for Golden State, and Barnes will hopefully force his way into more playing time as well.

Mark Jackson will have to see how this plays out before making a final decision. This should prove to be a good competition to watch for in training camp and the preseason.

For more on the Warriors head to Golden State of Mind.

Stephen Curry Cleared For Basketball Activities

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has been away from the basketball court for about five months, or he at least hasn't been playing at full capacity. It looks like he's ready to play again.

Warriors announce Steph Curry has been cleared to resume all basketball activities after exam on his surgically repaired right ankle.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) September 20, 2012

Curry has struggled with ankle injuries throughout his basketball career, from his college days in Davidson to his current stint in Golden State. His latest ankle injury forced him to miss the last 40 games of the 2011-2012 regular season. Curry also dealt with an ankle surgery that kept him sidelined for most of the offseason, but he started participating in 5-on-5s a few days ago and seems to be back to full strength.

Curry figures to be the starting point guard on an improved Warriors team that has Andrew Bogut, Klay Thompson, David Lee and Harrison Barnes leading things off. They just need to get Curry in the lineup.

Talk about Curry with Warriors fans by heading on over to Golden State of Mind.

Stephen Curry Resumes 5-On-5 Play Wednesday

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has resumed playing 5-on-5 for the first time since a right ankle injury caused him to miss 40 of 66 games during the 2011-2012 season, according to CSN Bay Area's Matt Steinmetz.

Curry said on Twitter on Wednesday, "Finally got the go ahead to play some pickup with the squad today. Felt good to get back."

The foregone conclusion from the statement is that he is back playing a full scrimmage.

The timing of the news is significant because Curry had previously told reporters that his goal was to resume playing 5-on-5 one or two weeks prior to the start of training camp, which begins Oct. 2. He averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 assists and 28.2 minutes per game in 26 games a season ago and figures to be a focal point of the Warriors' offense should he remain healthy in 2012-2013.

The Warriors will need him at full strength in order to stay competitive in a division featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, two Western Conference playoff teams.

For more on the Warriors, be sure to visit Golden State of Mind.

Andrew Bogut Injury: Warriors C Expected Back For Season Opener

Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut is expected to be available to play when the Warriors open the NBA regular season on Halloween night in Phoenix.

So said Warriors general manager Bob Myers to the Sporting News. Bogut, a 7-footer from Australia who has seven seasons of NBA experience, mainly with the Milwaukee Bucks, is coming back from a fractured left ankle suffered last January before he was traded to the Warriors.

Bogut had surgery on the anke in April.

Bogut, 27, played in only 12 games in 2011-2012. He averaged 11.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Bucks in those games.

Bogut has career averages of 12.7 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and 1.6 blocks per game. The Warriors have long sought and interior defensive presence and hope Bogut can be the answer, but he first has to overcome his history of injuries.

Talk about Bogut with Warriors fans by heading on over to Golden State of Mind. Hit up the SB Nation NBA hub for more comprehensive pro basketball coverage.

Golden State Warriors Promote Darren Erman, Hire Bob Beyer

With the departure of one Golden State Warriors coach, there has been some shifting of the current coaching staff. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports files this report.

Golden State coach Mark Jackson has promoted Darren Erman to the No. 3assistant coach with departure of Wes Unseld, Jr., sources tell Y!

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) September 7, 2012

Erman was most recently a coaching assistant for player development after being hired away by the Boston Celtics. With the Celtics, Erman had scouting duties and also worked in a player development capacity. It's unclear what Erman's promotion means with regards to new duties. Before that he was an assistant coach at St. Anthony and Brandeis.

CSN Bay Area also reports that with Unseld off the staff, the vacancy has now been filled by Bob Beyer. Beyer spent five seasons with Stan Van Gundy on the Orlando Magic coaching staff and before that had worked at Dayton and Texas Tech. Interestingly, Unseld Jr. is headed to Orlando in a similar coaching position.

Talk about Jackson with Warriors fans by heading on over to Golden State of Mind. Hit up the SB Nation NBA hub for more comprehensive pro basketball coverage.

Golden State Warriors, KNBR Agree To Multi-Year Extension

Warriors Rookie Draymond Green Fastest Rising Player On ESPN's NBA Player Rankings

Golden State Warriors rookie Draymond Green was mentioned as the no. 1 fast-rising player on ESPN's NBA player rankings.

Though only ranked no. 334, ESPN's Tom Haberstroh can see that changing for a rookie who many feel is NBA-ready and should have been a first-round draft pick.

Here's what Haberstroh had to say:

There's a good chance you're looking at the steal of the draft here. Selected early in the second round by the Warriors, Green checks off more NBA prerequisites than most draftees. He can shoot lights out, pass with precision, and play bigger than his 6-foot-7 height. (Green is Michigan State's all-time leading rebounder.) He could be a liability defensively, but that will be compensated somewhat by Andrew Bogut's presence underneath. It wouldn't be a surprise if Green had a Chandler Parsons-type breakout rookie season.

That's high praise for a player already with a chip on his shoulder after where he fell in the draft. Parsons averaged 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on 45.2% shooting and dropped 23 points and six rebounds in the second to last game of the season against the Miami Heat. If Green can show the promise of Parsons, he could more than make Haberstroh's prediction come true.

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Warriors Finish 10th In ESPN's Western Conference Standings Projections

ESPN released their Western Conference Standings projections for the 2012-2013 season and they predict the Golden State Warriors will finish 10th in the conference and third in the Pacific Division.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are projected as the top three teams in the conference, but the Warriors need to focus on catching the Utah Jazz, who sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the projections.

The Warriors are projected to finish 38-44, with the Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves both tied at 41-41. The Warriors came into last season thinking playoffs but fell short due to injuries, defensive woes and the Monta Ellis trade rumors that finally ended at the trade deadline.

The Warriors finished 23-43 during the last lockout-shortened season.

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Andrew Bogut Injury Update: Missing Preseason Games A Real Possibility

Golden State Warriors fans may have to wait even longer before seeing the on-court debut of their prized center, with Andrew Bogut claiming he might not play in some of the team's preseason games, according to Matt Steinmetz of Comcast SportsNet.

Bogut, whom the Warriors acquired in a five-player deal back in March, has still yet to suit up for his new team after being traded while still recovering from a fractured left ankle he suffered on Jan. 25, 2012. The big 7-footer underwent surgery to clean out loose particles and bone spurs in the ankle on April 27, and says he is trying to play it "smart" with his rehabilitation.

Bogut did express confidence that he'll be fully healed in time for the Warriors' season opener against the Phoenix Suns, reaffirming to Steinmetz that "that's my goal."

"I definitely want to be ready for training camp, and I think it will be close. But I think I'll definitely be ready for the first game. So the immediate goal with all of this is to be ready for the first game, whether that means only playing in only half the preseason games or whatever or just being smart."

This caution could indeed be wise, as Bogut has now missed time because of injury in four consecutive seasons and played in just 12 of the 66 games in the lockout-shortened 2012 slate. When healthy, though, Bogut has flashed franchise-center potential, something that Golden State has lacked since the days of Nate Thurmond.

For more on the Warriors, make sure to check out Golden State of Mind and SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Stephen Curry Injury Update: Guard Expects To Be Ready For Regular Season

After dealing with a problematic ankle injury throughout the 2012-13 season, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry expects to be ready to go by the first game of the regular season, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! reports.

The 6-foot-3 guard returned to the Bay Area this week and while he's been cleared medically, he's not being pushed by the staff. Still, Spears reports that Curry should begin 5-on-5 play before training camp starts.

According to Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area, Curry underwent an ankle surgery in April to clean out debris, and there was no structural damage. That's good news considering Curry's history.

He missed 40 games last season due to the ankle injury that occurred before the year began. After reinjuring the ankle a couple times, Curry called it quits in March.

His numbers had suffered last season as well. Curry averaged 14.7 points and 5.3 assists per game, a couple ticks below his career averages of 17.5 points and 5.8 assists averaged for his career.

Check out Golden State of Mind for Warriors updates and commentary.

Warriors GM Bob Myers Elucidates Comments About Mark Jackson, Roster

When Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers speaks about the condition of the team, outsiders are going to pick about each and every word to try and find some hidden context. Which is exactly what happened when he told reporters that it fair to tell his coaches "to go forward and do well with this group of players."

Here is CSN Bay Area reporting:

On the surface, what Myers said wasn't a big deal - nothing more than a GM talking optimistically about his team in the offseason, and throwing in there that the coaching staff now had better players to deal with.

But his comments blew up a little bit, and many interpreted them to mean: If the Warriors don't make the playoffs, Jackson will get fired.

Of course, that's not exactly what Myers said.

Myers made sure to call head coach Mark Jackson and smooth things over, noting that ‘we all have something to work with now' not just him and his coaches. Jackson, being the logical human being that he is, figured out right when Myers said it that it wasn't a jab at his job security, but a notion that the team is finally better (on paper).

"I want to win and the thinking is, give me a roster where I have some accountability rather than having a roster where nobody thinks we can compete.'"

Myers and Jackson reportedly had a laugh about this afterwards. Glad that all got settled.

For more on the Warriors head to Golden State of Mind.

Stephen Curry Injury: Warriors PG Continues Rehab In Bay Area

Stephen Curry's next test for his injured ankle comes this week, as he is scheduled to arrive in the Bay Area Tuesday night to work out at team facilities and continue to rehab his right ankle. Curry, who missed 40 games last season with a nagging right-ankle sprain, had surgery in April to clean up the injury with doctors saying that no structural damage was found and the injury should heal normally.

Curry has been rehabbing since the surgery and has been on the court working out, and he has been able to go full speed for a while now. Even so, the team won't push him and will bring him along slowly to ensure his injured ankle won't be a problem next season.

GM Bob Myers sounds encouraged, according to CSN Bay Area:

"He's been doing it (working out and playing), but not for long stretches of time," Myers said of Curry. "He'll go full speed, then stop to not push it because he doesn't need to. We're not going to try to break any barriers with it right now. But if you come watch him for 10 or 15 minutes, you'll see him going full speed without restrictions."

For more on the Warriors, make sure to check out Golden State of Mind.

Warriors Preseason Schedule 2012: W's Face Lakers, Clippers, And IPL's Maccabi Haifa

The Golden State Warriors have done their fair share of re-tooling their squad in the offseason, and you're first chance to see the new look W's in action is during the NBA preseason.

The team announced their schedule on Thursday, with a trio of home games on the docket as well as a trips down south to Fresno and L.A., out east to Denver and up north to Portland.

The Warriors face the Lakers at the Save Mart Center in Fresno to start the preseason on October 7, followed by a pair of games at Oralce on the 8th against the Utah Jazz and the 11th against Maccabi Haifa from the Israeli Premier League. They'll hit the road four four games to play the Nuggets, Kings, Trailblazers and Clippers, then finish up with the Phoenix Suns back at Oracle on October 23.

For more on the Warriors, make sure to check out Golden State of Mind.

New Warriors Arena Likely To Be Smaller Than Oracle Arena, According to Rick Welts

The Golden State Warriors are far from making their move across the Bay back to San Francisco, but team president Rick Welts discussed some of the specs of the proposed new stadium, noting that it will likely be a lot smaller than their current home at Oracle Arena.

On the size of the new stadium:

"We haven't landed completely on the number of seats. It will not be as large from a capacity standpoint as the arena we play in now (19, 596). We think, frankly, that's a good design. We want it to be an extremely intimate facility. But until we do have the design nailed down, it's not possible to explain with accuracy the size of it."

On what the new stadium may look like:

"We don't really know what the economy is going to be in five years. We don't know what the economics of the NBA will be in five years; it's even premature to talk about pricing."

"What we do know is we want the arena to be full every night and for it to be full every night it has to be organized and priced in a way that 16,000, 17,000 are excited about coming. We're a long way toward getting to those discussions. It's really going to be as much about where the NBA economics go over the nest five-year period."

Whether the stadium will be done by 2017, as proposed:

"Anyone who is not familiar with our ownership group, I can understand the skepticism. But this is not only (co-owner) Peter Guber and (co-owner) Joe Lacob who are leading this. They paid the highest price ever paid for an NBA team to have the privilege of doing business in the Bay Area."

This project is still far from breaking ground, but the optimism and confidence in the project is second to none from this management group. Nevertheless, it's remains to be all talk, so we'll have to wait and see how this arena pans out.

For more on the Golden State Warriors, make sure to check out Golden State of Mind.

Warriors Offseason 2012: Brandon Rush Wants To Be A Starter

Fresh off signing his 2-year, $8 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, swingman Brandon Rush spoke with CSN Bay Area's Matt Steinmetz about what he expects in the upcoming year, and certainly didn't beat around the bush.

Rush was straight and to the point when talking about what his goals are for the upcoming season, noting that being a starter is what he is striving for:

"I'm coming in trying to get that starting job at the three spot," Rush said. "I've been working hard the whole, entire summer to build up on that."

Between himself, rookie Harrison Barnes and veteran Richard Jefferson, it would seem that the playoff-tested Jefferson would fit the bill best as the starting No. 3. As the best player of the bench last year, coach Mark Jackson might choose to keep him in the sixth man role, but Rush is willing and ready for the competition, hungry to earn himself a spot in the starting rotation.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Golden State Warriors, head over to Golden State of Mind.

Golden State Warriors Re-Sign Brandon Rush To Two-Year, $8 Million Deal

According to a report form ESPN.com, the Golden State Warriors have re-signed Brandon Rush to a two-year $8 million contract on Tuesday, bringing back one of the brightest spots of their 2011-12 campaign.

Rush, 27, averaged 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 26 minutes a game last year for Golden State, shooting an impressive 45.2 percent from downtown. That was the sixth best mark from 3-point land in the NBA last season. He also had career-high marks in field goal percentage (50 percent) and from the charity stripe (79 percent).

Golden State extended a qualifying offer to Rush back on June 26 to make him a restricted free agent. The tender allowed the team to match any offer Rush received this summer, though that has become a moot point.

The four-year veteran out of the University of Kansas was selected 13th overall in the 2008 draft by the Portland Trailblazers.

For more on the Warriors, head over to Golden State of Mind.

Golden State Warriors Offseason: Dominic McGuire Not Likely To Return, According To Report

The Golden State Warriors busy offseason continues as it looks like they've finally made a decision on the future of Dominic McGuire, according to the Oakland Tribune's Marcus Thompson II.

After signing rookie Draymond Green to his rookie deal, the Warriors think that Green will bring to the table similar attributes that McGuire brought. Green may not end up the defender that McGuire is but offensively, he is already viewed as being a better player than McGuire has been during his time in the NBA.

Also according to CSN Bay Area's Matt Steinmetz, the Warriors intend to bring back Charles Jenkins, whose contract becomes fully guaranteed on August 1 and will make $762,195 as the third point guard on the roster behind Stephen Curry and Jarrett Jack. Jack is on the last year of his deal so Jenkins could be groomed to take on the backup point guard duties in the future.

For more on the Warriors, be sure to check out Golden State of Mind.

Carl Landry Signed By Golden State Warriors To Two-Year Deal

It's official: Carl Landry is a Golden State Warrior. The Warriors had made it clear they were going after him from the beginning of free agency, and apparently they offered him a good enough deal to sign.

Agent Mark Bartlestein says forward Carl Landry has agreed to sign with the Golden State Warriors.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 30, 2012

Carl Landry's deal with Golden State pays him $8 million for two years, Bartelstein says. Player option on second year.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 30, 2012

This probably isn't a signing Golden State should be overjoyed about outside of having more quality depth off their bench. Landry provides another offensive presence who can score down low and slow the game down when the starters are off the floor. Landry does struggle with rebounding, so it does not upgrade their biggest weakness at the power forward position. David Lee is a decent rebounder but his post defense is a bit lacking; Landry is a little bit better, but not by much.

Still, Landry provides an offensive punch in the frontcourt the team has lacked for quite some time, and could be a good bench player for Golden State. All in all, it's a move to upgrade the team.

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Golden State Warriors Should Sign Carl Landry, Re-Sign Brandon Rush

The Golden State Warriors appear to be closing in on acquiring two big offseason targets. One individual was a player they've grown fond of in their organization, the other is a player they hoped would come their way through free agency. It looks like they''ll accomplish both of their goals. Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area has this report.

The Warriors are close to coming to terms with restricted free agent Brandon Rush and are also on the verge of signing free agent power forward Carl Landry, according to Mark Bartelstein, the agent for each player.

The Warriors had made clear early in the offseason that re-signing Rush, who averaged 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, was a priority. Rush shot 45.2 percent from 3-point range in 2011-12, sixth in the league.

As a restricted free agent, Rush had the right to sign an offer sheet from another team and then wait for the Warriors to match the offer or not. But Rush had failed to get a qualifying offer, and so he will simply come to terms on a contract with Golden State.

Landry would provide Golden State with an excellent rebounding presence off the bench who can hustle, grab boards, and clean up to put in buckets. Landry would likely be brought in to spell David Lee off the bench at the power forward position.

Rush has been a player Golden State was high on this offseason, and it looks like he's taken big steps to securing his future with this potential deal the Warriors have lined up for him. Rush is slated as a small forward and should very well compete for the starting small forward spot with Harrison Barnes.

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Golden State Warriors Offseason: Sights Set On Carl Landry, Re-Signing Brandon Rush

According to Marcus Thompson II of the Oakland Tribune, the Golden State Warriors are still looking to add depth to their frontcourt and wing positions.

Free agent small forward Josh Howard is an option at this point but Thompson says that the interest is only minimal. This is mainly due to the Warriors plan to re-sign wing Brandon Rush, which would make a Howard signing a bit redundant.

Instead, the Warriors have focused their attention on power forward Carl Landry, who would serve as the backup for David Lee even though he could start for a handful of teams in the league. Landry is comfortable both starting and coming off the bench so having him coming off the bench would be a great get for head coach Mark Jackson's squad.

Defensive specialist Dominic McGuire is also someone the Warriors would like to bring back.

For more on the Warriors, be sure to check out Golden State of Mind.

2012-13 Golden State Warriors Schedule Released, Five Games On ESPN, Three On TNT

The Golden State Warriors will start with 15 of 24 games on the road and will finish up 16 of 22 games at home. They'll start the season against the Phoenix Suns and host the Memphis Grizzlies.

Warriors Sign Summer League Standout Kent Bazemore

Basketball doesn't quite get the feel good stories that a lot of other sports do because it doesn't have much of a minor league system in place. But every now and then, a player does what Kent Bazemore does - perform well enough in the summer league to garner a contract.

The Warriors came out impressed with Bazemore's performance in the summer league and reportedly have signed the swingman to a two-year deal.

Summer League Surprise Kent Bazemore Earns Contract with Warriors - Inside the Warriors - with Marcus Thompson

The deal is most likely to be a steal with the Warriors and probably one with a low guarantee as the Warriors already have quite the crowded backcourt. Whether or not Bazemore would be able to crack the rotation for consistent minutes would probably require some assistance from the injury bug.

"Guys like that, they make it impossible not to keep him," Warriors General Manager Bob Myers said of Bazemore in a phone interview Monday. "You can't cut him, for whatever reason. He falls into the category of a guy who you just want to keep around."

Bazemore caught the eyes of the Warriors with help of his defense, averaging 1.8 blocks and 1.5 steals a game, including a seven block effort against the Chicago Bulls.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Remaining Bench Players Warriors Could Target

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Anthony Randolph Signs 3-Year Deal With Denver Nuggets

As a reunion between the Golden State Warriors and Anthony Randolph was looking like a nice fit, CSN Bay Area reports that Randolph has signed a three-year, $6 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, leaving the W's to look elsewhere for backup big-man help.

Randolph averaged 7.4 points and 3.6 assists for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, seeing time in only 34 games while getting the start in just five. He averaged 9.2 points, 6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in 93 games with the Warriors from 2008-2010. Denver will be the fourth team Randolph has played for in his five-year NBA career.

Randolph was the 14th overall pick of the Golden State Warriors back in the 2008 NBA Draft, joining an already crowded frontcourt in Denver alongside JaVale McGee, Kenneth Faried, and Timofey Mozgov. Golden State will simply have to keep looking for more bench help.

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Golden State Warriors Offseason: Stephen Curry Working Towards Comeback

Stephen Curry is in North Carolina and he looks nothing like the kid the Golden State Warriors drafted out of Davidson such a short while ago.

Curry is coming off of his second ankle surgery and he's spent his time building up his body with a rigorous summer workout plan at Accelerate Basketball training facility with trainer Brandon Payne.

"It's crazy stuff, but it helps a lot keeping my body in shape and keep my fundamentals and motor skills at a high level when it comes to basketball, without a lot of stress on my ankle," said Curry in the Charlotte Observer. "It's very different, some of the ways they stay above the curve with the different technologies they've found."

Curry still isn't ready to play basketball yet, but he's staying focused on where he needs to be in order to be on the floor when training camp starts.

"Naturally, you're more anxious to get back on the floor and get that feeling of ‘I know it's 100 percent' and not have to worry about it anymore. I know when I do get back I will worry about it for a month or so. (After the injuries last season) I wasn't 100 percent at all. I wanted to play, but it was a smart decision - looking back on it - to sit.

"I was able to figure out what was exactly wrong with my ankle instead of running it into the ground, so I had the surgery done in April and I've taken time off and made it useful."

For more on Curry and his rehab, check out Golden State of Mind.

Warriors Free Agency Rumors: Anthony Randolph Would Welcome Golden State Reunion

Anthony Randolph was originally drafted in the first round of the 2008 draft by the Golden State Warriors with the 14th overall pick. Randolph never managed to develop offensively, but he had some spectacular moments defensively, averaging 1.2 blocks per game his first season and 1.5 blocks per game his second season--and that was on average in only 20 minutes of action!

Unfortunately, his shooting and lack of defined offensive game kept him off the floor, and he ended up eventually being dealt to the New York Knicks in part of a package that brought David Lee to Golden State. Randolph lingered on the bench for most of his first season there before being part of the Carmelo Anthony three-way deal that sent him to Minnesota. Randolph had limited bursts of success, but he had trouble cracking the rotation and now is facing an uncertain free agency.

One place he'd like to go? Golden State. Marcus Thompson of Bay Area News Group believes the fit could work.

According to league sources, free agent Anthony Randolph would like returning to Warriors. The only question is would GSW want him. They'd have to miss out on Carl Landry to consider Randolph. For his career, Randolph averages as many rebounds (5.1) as Landry in 7 fewer mins. Randolph is also a better shotblocker. And Mark Jackson is supposed to be someone who can deal with Randolph's temperament.

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Golden State Warriors Meet With Free Agent Forward Carl Landry

The Golden State Warriors do not have a ton of money to spend this offseason, but that has not stopped them from looking at any and all options on the market. The team could benefit from adding a quality post player, and they are reportedly considering unrestricted Carl Landry. He averaged a little more than 12 points and five rebounds a game last season.

Here's the latest from Marcus Thompson:

The Warriors took another step in their efforts to land power forward Carl Landry. Friday, Landry and the Warriors met and continued discussions about signing the unrestricted free agent. No deal is imminent, according to a league source, but the meeting was characterized as good. Apparently, the Warriors aren't out of the running despite having limited funds

Landry has earned a reputation as being one of the league's toughest players when on the court, and his efficient offensive production makes him an appealing player to just about every team with a vacancy. The only downside to his game is durability -- in the last four years, Landry has played in an average of about 38 games.

There's a chance Landry ends up following the money and going elsewhere, but it appears the Warriors will at least be in the running to land him in the coming weeks.

For more on the Warriors and their free agency plans, check out Golden State of Mind.

Kenyon Martin Rumors: Warriors Interested In Free Agent PF

According to a report from CSN Bay Area's Matt Steinmetz, the Golden State Warriors are looking to add not only depth this offseason, but also so size and toughness as they are reportedly taking a look at free agent power forward Kenyon Martin this offseason.

Martin, 34, played in 42 games last season for the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. He's played for the Nets, Denver Nuggets and Clippers in his 12 year career.

Steinmetz also noted that the W's have interested in players like Antawn Jamison and Carl Landry. They could also could re-sign Dominic McGuire, who played some decently as a power forward for Golden State last season.

Adding point guard Jarret Jack has already increased the team's overall toughness, though general manager Bob Myers spoke about adding another free agent during a conference call on Wednesday, and in all probability that player would be a power forward.

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Dorell Wright Trade Expanded To Hornets, Jarrett Jack Sent To Warriors, According To Report

The pieces of the Dorell Wright trade are starting to fall into place as it is bering reported by ESPN's NBA insider Marc Stein that the New Orleans Hornets have emerged as a third party to the trade between the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, sending point guard Jarret Jack to Golden State as part of the trade.

Per ESPN's NBA Insider Marc Stein via Twitter:

Just going online: Philly trade for Dorell Wright is expanding to include Hornets, who have agreed to send Jarrett Jack to Warriors

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 11, 2012

Jack, a seven year veteran out of Georgia Tech University averaged 15.6 points and 6.3 assists a game for New Orleans last year, but became a bit expendable in New Orleans with the drafting of Austin Rivers. He'll join the likes of Stephen Curry and Charles Jenkins as the other point guards on the Warriors.

A team already riddled with small forwards, the Sixers gave up the NBA draft rights to 2006 second-round pick Edlin Bavcic as part of the deal to acquire another mediocre SF. Wright averaged 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season for the Warriors in 27 minutes per contest. He is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $4.4 million, which could light a fire under him in the city of Brotherly Love.

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Andrew Bogut Expected Back In Time For Training Camp

The Golden State Warriors had big plans for Andrew Bogut until he was sidelined by an ankle injury that required surgery. Luckily for the Warriors, it looks like Bogut's rehabilitation is right on schedule and the center should be ready in time for the start of training camp.

Warriors got good news from Andrew Bogut's first check up today in Los Angeles. Expect him to be ready for camp

— Marcus Thompson (@gswscribe) July 11, 2012

The former overall number one draft pick doesn't post the highest career averages, but when Bogut plays he plays well. The problem is just how often he plays. Bogut missed a large portion of the 2008 - 2009 season with an injured back, and missed the end of the 2009 - 2010 season with a nasty arm injury. He has a career average of 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks and should help anchor a weak frontline for the Warriors this upcoming season.

Golden State Warriors Trade Dorell Wright To Philadelphia 76ers, Receive Old Philly Draft Pick

The Golden State Warriors have been shopping Dorell Wright for some time. They finally found a suitor for him in the Philadelphia 76ers. CSN Philly Insider Dei Lynam had the initial report. The Warriors receive a future pick that has yet to be figured out. Correction: Golden State receives a player Philly has already drafted and is now playing overseas, according to Marcus Thompson.

Wright has been considered Golden State's most tradeable player on the team because of his versatility at the wing spot, and a lot of teams are always looking for small forward. However, no offers really came up that Golden State really liked, so he just kinda had to linger along and hope that he would stick around. Unfortunately for Wright, Golden State finally found a trade they liked. Wright averaged 10.3 points per game but shot only 42% from the field in his final season in the Bay Area.

The Wright deal pretty much opens up the small forward position for rookie Harrison Barnes to take over the starting small forward spot. It also opens up more opportunity for Brandon Rush, who's coming off a career season where he averaged nearly 10 points per game in an average of 26 minutes of action, but also while shooting 50% from the field, 79% from the line and a pretty incredible 45% from three point land. With Wright's four-million dollar contract out of the way for next season, Golden State should be in a pretty good position to sign Rush to a deal similar to the one Wright had and still have room for more free agency moves.

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Golden State Warriors Announce Summer League Roster

The NBA summer league is right around the corner, set to begin July 13 down in Las Vegas, NV. The Golden State Warriors are ready for action as they recently released their roster for the exhibition series in Sin City.

This year's draft picks Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli and Draymond Green will take part in the festivities as will second-year players Klay Thompson, Charles Jenkins and Jeremy Tyler. Warriors assistant coach Pete Myers will serve as the head coach in Vegas.

The Lakers will be first on the W's docket on the 13th, but they also have games scheduled with the Nuggets, Heat, Bulls and Hornets. All games can be seen on NBA TV.

Below is the complete Summer League roster:

PLAYER POS HT WT BORN COLLEGE

Harrison Barnes F 6-8 210 5/30/92 North Carolina

Kent Bazemore G/F 6-5 195 7/1/89 Old Dominion

Justin Burrell F 6-8 244 4/18/88 St. John's

Festus Ezeli C 6-11 255 10/21/89 Vanderbilt

Draymond Green F 6-7 230 3/4/90 Michigan State

Justin Hurtt G 6-5 205 10/3/88 Tulsa

Charles Jenkins G 6-3 220 2/28/89 Hofstra

Dallas Lauderdale F 6-8 260 9/11/88 Ohio State

Wendell McKines F 6-6 230 8/18/88 New Mexico State

Joe Ragland G 6-0 185 11/11/89 Wichita State

Frank Robinson G 6-4 220 6/1/84 Cal State Fullerton

Rakim Sanders F 6-5 228 7/8/89 Fairfield

Garrett Sim G 6-2 185 7/10/90 Oregon

Andre Smith F 6-8 242 2/21/85 North Dakota State

Klay Thompson F 6-7 220 2/8/90 Washington State

Dar Tucker G 6-4 205 4/11/88 DePaul

Jeremy Tyler F 6-10 260 6/21/91 San Diego HS

Maalik Wayns G 6-2 200 5/2/91 Villanova

Kyle Weems F 6-6 226 8/23/89 Missouri State

Chris Wright F 6-8 226 9/30/88 Dayton

Andre Young G 5-9 170 3/16/90 Clemson

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Is That Andris Biedrins In The Back Of That Car?

Brandon Roy Goes For Minnesota Timberwolves Over Golden State Warriors

Brandon Roy was making a tour to figure out which team he'd fit in with at the next level, and the Golden State Warriors got a visit. But it looks as if the Minnesota Timberwolves were the ones who ended up winning out.

After retiring in late 2011 because of recurring troubles with his knees, 27-year-old guard Brandon Roy decided Thursday night to return to the NBA, agreeing to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-year deal worth $10.4 million, according to a league source. Roy picked Minnesota over Dallas, Indiana, Golden State and Cleveland, which had gotten into his list of finalists, according to his agent, Greg Lawrence.

The Warriors clearly weren't the only other team under consideration, but they were a primary contender to get him. The reason the Warriors felt like they had a shot was because of their internal connection. Warriors general manager Bob Myers used to be Roy's agent in the league, so they felt that this would pay off here.

The Warriors will now likely have to rely on Klay Thompson to be their primary two-guard.

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Warriors Free Agency 2012: Antwan Jamison Talking With Golden State, Charlotte

The Golden State Warriors have yet to make any huge splashes in free agency. What about Antwan Jamison? Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports files this report.

Jamison has also been talking to @warriors GM Bob Myers, his old agent, in recent days. The ex-Warrior to talk to coach Mark Jackson soon.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 6, 2012

CLE free agent F Antawn Jamison had a good dinner meeting in his hometown of Charlotte with Bobcats execs Rod Higgins and Rich Cho tonight.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 6, 2012

Jamison is clearly on the downside of his career, but he's still putting up numbers. At the age of 35 (turning 36 in June), Jamison played 65 of 66 regular season contests, averaged 17.2 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game. All of those numbers aren't too far off his career averages, and he'd figure to contend for the starting spot or at least be another big in the rotation with Andrew Bogut, Andris Biedrins and David Lee.

It's not a big-splash signing, but it should help keep Golden State on the uptick in terms of adding in quality depth and fielding a competitive basketball team that could potentially make the playoffs.

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Warriors Offseason 2012: W's Waiting On Brandon Roy, Brandon Rush

CSN Bay Area's Matt Steinmetz brings us a few golden nuggets about the Golden State Warriors Thursday morning, including updates on the team's status with the currently retired Brandon Roy as well as well as swingman free agent Brandon Rush.

According to Steinmetz, the W's are waiting to see what other offers come up from the six or so NBA clubs that are vying for Roy's services. Golden State reached out to him a few days ago as general manager Bob Myers met with Roy in the Bay Area. Myers, a former agent, used to have Roy as one of his clients. So it's hurry up and wait with Mr. Roy.

The W's are also waiting on Brandon Rush, whom they also have offered a contract. Steinmetz notes that he may have a bit more of a complicated scenario when working out a contract this summer as Golden State may not have the money to offer him what he wants.

[A contract from the Warriors] depends on what kind of offer Rush gets from another team - assuming he gets one. Rush made $2.96 million in 2011-12, and is seeking a raise from that number.

If a team were to offer Rush a contract starting at $3 million or so and build up, the Warriors would likely match and retain Rush. But if a team were to offer Rush most, or all, of the $5 million mid-level exception, that might be too high a price for the Warriors.

The Toronto Raptors are said to be one of the teams interested in signing Rush, according to Steinmetz. Rush is coming off his best season in the league, averaging 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 26.4 minutes off the bench for the Warriors last year.

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Brandon Roy Rumors: Former All-Star Guard Meets With Warriors

According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, free agent guard Brandon Roy met with Golden State Warriors brass on Sunday in the Bay Area.

Roy's comeback is in full swing and he has a number of teams interested in taking a flyer on the former All-Star guard whose knees forced him into early retirement.

Now that Roy is back trying to get into the league, the Warriors offer an interesting destination. Roy was always used to having the ball in his hands while he played in Portland but pairing him in a backcourt with Stephen Curry wouldn't be a problem since you can easily move Curry off the ball due to his deadeye shooting.

With Klay Thompson also on the wing, Roy could initiate the offense and Thompson and Curry could work off the ball. All three could run various pick and rolls with David Lee which would make for a very diverse and multi-faceted offense for the Warriors.

It would make for an intriguing combination. But with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves still vying for Roy's services, it could still be awhile before anyone hears anything from Roy or his camp on his next destination.

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Brandon Roy Rumors: Warriors, Bulls, Pacers, Mavericks, Timberwolves The Choices

The Brandon Roy comeback is in full swing. Roy has already met with two teams in the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks, and now he's expected to meet with other teams including the Golden State Warriors. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld had the initial report.

It's nice to see Roy considering Golden State. He might be one of the more prominent free agents who's been interested in playing with the Bay Area basketball squad. There's no doubt Golden State could use a constant shooting guard with Stephen Curry always stuck between playing either the point guard or shooting guard position and struggling with injuries. Roy could provide that presence if he's fully healthy.

However, the Warriors are probably further away from contention than either the Bulls or the Pacers or the Mavericks. Would that factor into his final decision? It remains to be seen, but at least they're in the running

Talk about Roy with Warriors fans at Golden State of Mind, with Bulls fans at Blog A Bull, with Pacers fans at Indy Cornrows, with Mavericks fans at Mavs Moneyball, and with Timberwolves fans at Canis Hoopus.

Stephen Curry Rumors: Golden State PG Won't Get An Extension

The Golden State Warriors aren't expected to give Stephen Curry a contract extension this offseason.