Golden State trades at least show a plan. It may be ugly, but it is better than staying as a perennial talented small team, with mediocre results.
Mark Jackson inherited a Nellie Ball team, too small to have his defense plan. The only big guy, Biedrins, is a disappointment and an awful contract ($27M/3yr). Lee is another bad contract ($69M/5yr). Ellis at $33M/3yr was about fair value. So, what do you do with such a team?
If they stay on target they will end on .460 or so, and lose the 1st round pick to Utah. So, they must tank for the rest of the season, to push back the draft pick (with, BTW was the result of another bad trade).
The trade for Bogut fits in the plan. Such kind of talent is not easy to get in free agency. Of course, he is a big injury risk, but losing Ellis, giving rest to Curry and getting an injured player is the easiest way to tank. Of course, they were not going anywhere this season, but the fans will never like such kind of move.
So, the next season looks much better, if they have Curry and Bogut healthy. Klay Thompson looks OK, Lee and Jefferson may contribute, and in top of that may have two 1st round picks. Looks fine, right? Of course, many "ifs" (Health of Bogut and Curry, Klay development, tanking to 24th place, etc). But at least they are trying to get out of the eternal mediocrity, even if risking going to the bottom in the short term.
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