Andrew Bogut is heading to the Golden State Warriors after a big deal involving several players from both teams.
Bogut had been discussed in trade deals with several clubs including the Boston Celtics (for a straight swap with veteran guard Ray Allen) and the Washington Wizards, but it is the Golden State Warriors that the 7’1” Australian will play for.
The deal comprised the Milwaukee Bucks trading Bogut and Stephen Jackson to the Oakland-based Warriors in exchange for the exciting Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and big man Kwame Brown.
Bogut was the first overall selection by the Bucks in the 2005 NBA Draft, but has been on the sidelines since 25 January due to an ankle injury. Over his seven years in the league, Bogut has averaged 12.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in addition to cementing himself as a strong defender due to his shot-blocking prowess.
Golden State Warriors general manager Larry Riley, who replaced Chris Mullin in 2009, was very happy with the Bogut acquisition saying, “We’re extremely excited to acquire a player the calibre of Andrew Bogut, who we think is one of the best centres in the game.”
He added, “He will add an element of toughness to our team and will provide us with scoring, rebounding and a defensive presence in the middle. We’ve lacked those elements in recent years and think that Andrew’s addition will be a key factor in the growth of our team.”
For Bogut, who will get $27 million over the next two seasons, this could well be a fresh start and revitalise his career under Golden State’s head coach Mark Jackson.
The other positive factor for the Melbourne-born big man is that he will be under less pressure and probably increase his field goal percentage as the Warriors won’t need to play through him as much as was required in Milwaukee.
We are also most likely to see increased numbers on the defensive end with the calibre of players around him. He is an elite defensive center and this will be a good long-term move for Golden State.
The Warriors are likely to miss the playoffs and seem to be playing for next season. Their aim now is the NBA draft. With neither Bogut nor Jackson playing at the moment, there is a chance that the Warriors will drop more games and acquire a high draft selection.
For Golden State fans and supporters of Bogut, next season is promising and exciting. A fit Bogut will form the core of a very good team along with the gifted Stephen Curry, a good scoring guard, and forward David Lee, who is averaging just under 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Lee, out of Florida University, was in the same draft as Bogut and was picked up by the New York Knicks with pick 30. He has played five seasons, the last two with the Warriors.
Trading players away is never easy, but the future will be better for Andrew Bogut and the Golden State Warriors because of it.
Samuel Candido
Roar Rookie
Great trade for the Warriors
ThelmaWrites
Guest
What happens to the squad of Bucks fans he interviewed and personally recruited to make noise at Bucks' home games?
JVGO
Guest
The arrival of Bogut in the Bay Area also intensifies Australian Basketball's presence there and compliments St Mary's high profile as the Gaels again enter the NCAA tournament and March Madness. A gig for Patty Mills with the Warriors might be another possible link as he has always had a high profile in San Francisco.
DANIEL
Guest
Its about time he left Milwaukee for a more flashy location. It was a hole, as was the team, and now, like Mark webber he can produce some big numbers, and maybe win him self a ring.
Blazza
Guest
Cameron, where did you hear Bogut for Allen straight up ? I've been on Bogut getting traded all week and haven't heard any of that talk. If that happened Boston would be the toast of the NBA and Milwaukee the joke of the NBA. The only talks that i've heard were with Houston,Washington and Golden State. Even injured Bogut is one of the biggest difference makers defensively in all of the NBA, and if he were healthy everybody but Orlando would want him. Most people think Milwaukee still didn't get enough back for him, because good centers are hard to come by. As a Bogut fan i will enjoy watching him on a new team, and Golden State are going to be a very fun team to watch next year with the core of Bogut,Lee,Curry,Thompson and possibly a 2012 lotto pick. He wont be relied on to be the number one guy and will be able to focus on what he does best, and that's to clog the lane and swat away anything that comes close to the basket.
Fivehole
Guest
Hope the warriors have good medical personnel
B.A Sports
Its a good trade for the Warriors if Bogut can stay healthy. He hasn't made it to 70 games in any of his last four seasons.
JVGO
Guest
Cameron I don't believe the Warriors have a pick this season unless they finish in the bottom seven, it has been traded. But this is an interesting move for me as I am a fan of the both the Warriors and Bogut. I guess the Warriors would draft a SF if possible. klay Thompson is looking pretty promising at the 2 spot. If they could get a really good young SF they would be looking at a good run of finals appearances in the west. This would be great for the franchise. The Bay Area fans are some of the best in the NBA considering the teams lack of success (chronic). Bogut should love living in the Bay Area. Such a great place. WIth David Lee there as well ther eshould be way less pressure on his scoring as you say. They look a pretty solid combination in the front court. Hopefully the injury clouds over both Bogut and Curry can sort themselves out.