http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7843128?nclick_check=1

OAKLAND -- Warriors forward Mickael Pietrus spent much of this summer waiting for a trade that would deliver him from Oakland. It didn't happen, obviously, but beginning this week, that possibility will be once again in play.
After signing Pietrus to a one-year qualifying offer worth $3.47 million, the Warriors have been prohibited from dealing him for three months -- a limitation that ends Tuesday.

While both sides said they're not actively seeking a divorce, there is no doubt that Pietrus would still like to wind up with a team where he'll get more consistent playing time. And it's equally clear that the Warriors are open to the idea of dealing their longest-tenured player.

"If a trade is offered, I'll go," said Pietrus, who has the right to veto any deal because he would have to relinquish his "Larry Bird rights," potentially costing himself money on the free agent market next summer. "I'll give up my 'Bird rights' for 35 minutes (per game)."

Pietrus, 25, set career-highs in almost every category you can think of last season, his fourth in the NBA but first with new coach Don Nelson. Nelson reined in Pietrus' tendencies to try to do too much offensively, and he enjoyed an 8.4 percent leap in his field-goal percentage, to 48.8, and 7.0 percent increase in his 3-point accuracy, to 38.8.

But this year, Pietrus' role has shrunk, not grown. After averaging 26.9 minutes a game last season, Pietrus hasn't reached that level once in 16 appearances since Nov. 24. His shooting numbers are back down near their career totals, and his averages in scoring (6.0 points per game, down from 11.1) and rebounding (2.9 from 4.5) have tumbled.

Asked recently if Pietrus still has growth left in his game after four years in the NBA and four more in France, Nelson said, "I hope there's a little growth there somewhere.

"He hasn't played as well this year as he did last year. I don't know why he hasn't played as well. He's going to say it's because he's not playing; I'm going to say he's not playing because he's not playing well. Do you want to get

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This could be our SF along with Chandler for yrs to come. Give the Warriors Balkman in return. Pietrus plays good defense and can shoot the rock at sf.

Balkman can easily fit in with the warriors in that he doesn't need the ball to make a difference on a team with many scorers.



[Edited by - playa2 on 30-12-2007 11:32]

Pietrus isn't that good. not really important to trade for him.

Posted by playa2:

balkman isn't a two-way player, this team needs two-way players just look at joe dumars young players and you will see how it's done.

Peitrus is barely a two way player.

[Edited by - Slimpack on 12-30-2007 1:24 PM]

Doesn't matter. He'll fall apart just like everyone else. who the hell wants to come play in this dump?

Pietrus wants to play 35 mins. He's not playing well according to Nelson. Sounds like Pietrus is a pouter. Sounds like Nellie doesn't give a **** what he thinks.

So? Is this guy a starter? He's better than Q but is he the solution?

That being said? He's a spot starter. He's a guy you can insert here and there or on certain teams. New Orleans sticks out to me.

Pietrus was helped by Nelson's system last year. He's not all that great in a halfcourt offense. Still, he's better than what the Knicks have at the 3.

How many more games do you want to see balkman as soon as he catches the ball on the perimitter look to pass the ball.

What that tells the defense is he can't shoot lay off him and help the post.

This team needs all g's and f's to be able to knock down open jump shots and play a lil defense.

balkman is starting to show how overatted he is on a team like the knicks .

so why draft him ???

Pietrus=Reezy

i really wish we'd give Chandler a shot to see if he could become a Pietrus type player for us

Posted by TMS:

i really wish we'd give Chandler a shot to see if he could become a Pietrus type player for us

Ditto. I really think we might have our answer at SF sitting on the bench. The kid can shoot, play defense, block shots, and seems to have a decent basketball iq. Give this kid 15 minutes a game and let's see what he can do.