Warriors close to getting Al Harrington?
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Warriors eye forward
Mullin might be trying to trade for Harrington
Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, July 10, 2006
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(07-10) 04:00 PDT Las Vegas -- The free-agency sweepstakes kicked up a notch Sunday with the arrival of Andy Miller, who represents Al Harrington, Kevin Garnett and Patrick O'Bryant. All three command the Warriors' attention for obvious reasons, but it's the first of Miller's clients who is most important at the moment.
Harrington is among about six players Golden State officials identified after the regular season as targets for acquisition, according to a league source. In April, vice president Chris Mullin all but guaranteed that his roster would not return intact, and he since has been among the league's busiest executives.
Golden State already has an agreement in place to send guard Derek Fisher to the Jazz. The move can be finalized Wednesday, and it's safe to say the Warriors will not be done dealing then.
"How can we be?" said Mullin, who would not confirm the Fisher trade.
Mullin could be derailed if a discussed deal falls through, because the Warriors' offseason moves appear to be linked. Their trade with Utah gives them three smaller salaries to use as trading options, and they can gather more by packaging a big-money player such as Troy Murphy with cheaper talent like Mickael Pietrus and Andris Biedrins.
The path to Harrington requires a sign-and-trade, most likely involving a third team, because the Warriors are over the salary cap. The most Golden State can offer the Hawks' forward is the mid-level exception worth about $5.1 million, which represents a significant cut from the $7 million he made last season.
The Warriors also could face a legal roadblock: A court ruling last week prohibits the Hawks from initiating transactions that involve multiyear deals for players other than draft picks.
It's unclear whether the Hawks will be allowed to sign Harrington to a long-term deal, even for the purpose of trading him, or if they will be forced to take back players only in the final years of their contracts.
Miller told The Chronicle last week that his client was interested in joining the Warriors. He reiterated Harrington's desire Sunday and said the Warriors were among "a handful" of teams under consideration.
Miller chatted briefly with Mullin while the Warriors scrimmaged against the Pistons next to Cox Pavilion, but spent most of his time on the phone. He later was seen meeting and greeting Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy and Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo, among others.
Harrington, a 6-foot-9, 245-pounder, would fill the Warriors' desire for frontcourt athleticism. He can play both forward positions and averaged a career-best 18.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season.
He is among the highest-profile free agents remaining after Ben Wallace, Jason Terry, Nene, and Peja Stojakovic were taken off the market. The Pacers are under pressure to make an impact deal after Stojakovic's departure, which leaves them nothing to show for the Ron Artest trade.
Harrington played the first six years of his career in Indiana and a reunion there isn't out of the question. The Pacers also could be involved in a three-way deal with Atlanta and Golden State. Miller expects a quick resolution.
"I think things are going to happen in a timely fashion," he said. "Now what timely defines as, I think there's other variables that come into play and make that call. But I think it's going to happen sooner rather than later."
Moves start becoming official on Wednesday, and the Warriors could be busy for the entire offseason.
"We're looking to get better," Mullin said. "It's not hoping. We're going to get better."
E-mail Janny Hu at jhu@sfchronicle.com. Page D - 3
