[Bryan88]

Warriors' immediate future in Mullin's hands / Draft choices, Davis contract loom large

Thursday: The NBA draft takes places, and as of now, the Warriors have the 14th and 49th overall picks. More than 40 players have worked out in Oakland, with Joe Alexander, Marreese Speights and Brandon Rush among the top tier of candidates.

Don't be surprised if Golden State trades its pick to move up in the draft or to acquire a proven player. With the Warriors still developing Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli, the team needs more immediate help than project players.

June 30: The last day for Davis to opt out of his contract and for the Warriors to use their $10 million trade exception from the Jason Richardson deal.

Davis' agent, Todd Ramasar, said this week that no decision has been made, but all indications are that Davis will play out the final season of his $17.8 million contract.

The larger issue is Davis' long-term future in Oakland. Davis wants a multiyear extension and Mullin now says he's open for negotiations, but the two sides remain far apart. And in the likely event that no new deal is reached, the Warriors risk having both their franchise player and coach carrying a lame-duck status next season.

"There is no new update," Ramasar said. "We are still making some decisions."

"If the deal does get done, the gap would have been bridged," Mullin added. "I have great respect for Baron as a player and what he's done, and if we can work that out, that would be great."

July 1: Free agency begins, and the Warriors will have two of the biggest names available in Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. Both are restricted, however, giving the Warriors the right to match any offer sheet the players sign - something Mullin has promised to do.

"They'll be back," Mullin said.

Mullin said he would prefer to reach quick resolutions with representatives for both Ellis and Biedrins, allowing the Warriors to fill out the rest of their roster without earmarking funds. He also knows the process could take all summer and beyond - as it did for Cleveland with restricted free agents Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic last year.

[randomuser83]

UPDATE: Baron is gone and the Warriors drafted two more forwards. Looks like a big starting line next year with the exception of Ellis (if he stays).