The first major trade in the run up to the NBA trade deadline has caused a bit of a commotion on the Twitterverse, as analysts and players react to the news that Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, Kwame Brown will be traded to Milwaukee in exchange for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson.
Said one Warriors player: "So we're just giving up on the season?"
— Marcus Thompson (@gswscribe) March 14, 2012
Which, though possibly a quick reaction, could quite possibly closer to the truth than we know. Per ESPN's Chad Ford:
Warriors pick is Top 7 protected this year.If they pick in the Top 7, they keep it. If they pick 8-30, they send to Jazz.
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) March 14, 2012
Currently, the Warriors are slated to pick 10th and thus would send the pick onto the Jazz this year.
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) March 14, 2012
While no one on the Warriors is going to openly admit to that kind of strategy, it's sure to cause a stir among fans and players. No player wants to be with an organization that purposefully tanks a season but for Monta Ellis, after hearing the news he'd been traded, he reacted as such:
Monta Ellis: "It's not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all."
— Marcus Thompson (@gswscribe) March 14, 2012
Monta Ellis looked as happy as he has in years while addressing the media about being traded to Milwaukee.
— Rusty Simmons (@Rusty_SFChron) March 14, 2012
Simmons elaborated on his blog, noting that Ellis remarked, "It is what it is, man. I had some great years here, and I had some bad ones. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to do what I did for seven years here. I started my career here, but they're going in another direction. They were good to me here."
"Everybody is upset, but this is what happens. This is part of the league. I wish them the best. Now, I'm going to go help the Bucks win. I knew they weren't going to send me to a playoff team. But the Bucks are still in the running. I think we can go for the eighth spot."
We'll have more on all this soon, so stay tuned.
To discuss Ellis, Udoh, and Brown to the Bucks, head on over to Brew Hoop. To talk about Bogut and Jackson to the Warriors, check out Golden State of Mind.