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First.
Raja Bell will be in heavy demand ... if surgery isn't season-ending
December, 3, 2009 Dec 33:58AM By Marc Stein
Raja Bell goes in for a wrist operation Thursday that’s kind of a big deal.
Especially if you like to follow the trade market.
Only by having surgery can Bell and the Golden State Warriors learn the severity of the torn ligament in the 33-year-old’s left wrist.
Bell has been advised by experts in the field that a full-blown repair will sideline him at least four months and potentially the rest of the regular season. In the best-case scenario, though, Bell could be back in a month.
Which would almost certainly put him right back on the trade market.
I'm told that a few contenders have already registered their interest by making inquiries about Bell’s availability even though he just got to Golden State on Nov. 16 in the Stephen Jackson deal. Makes sense, too. What contender couldn’t use a wing defender of Bell’s stature who can also drain the weak-side 3 and who happens to be playing on an expiring contract valued at a reasonable $5.3 million?
If screws are not inserted in Bell’s wrist and he can be back in a month to six weeks, there’s little doubt his name will start coming up a lot leading into the Feb. 18 trading deadline. The unknown variable then would be what the Warriors demand to part with Bell.
The Dubs can package Bell with other players starting in mid-January, but they aren’t overflowing with unsavory contracts that they’re desperate to move now that Jackson is gone and with Monta Ellis looking increasingly inspired. Corey Maggette’s contract is the only one that really fits that description ... and no contender is taking on Maggette’s deal no matter how much they like Bell.
But Golden State also wouldn’t want to simply buy out a healed Bell and let him choose his contender – even if the trade deadline passes without the Dubs finding a deal – because its locker room badly needs an example-setting vet.
Bell quickly showed what kind of influence he can have in Oaktown by insisting to play in Boston on Nov. 18 because the Warriors had only eight other healthy players ... after it had already been decided that he’d be having the wrist surgery. The Warriors' collective team spirit has been much better since Jackson's departure and Bell's willingness to play that game is seen as one of the catalysts.
UPDATE: Put San Antonio up high on that list of interested contenders. Given the Cavs' longstanding dialogue with the Warriors on the Jackson front, I have to believe Cleveland has or will explore the Raja option, too. And there will be more if the surgery is screws-free.
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...-season-ending
First.
sounds good....I'd welcome him
I'm all for a mason for bell swap.
Bell is a damn good role player. Good defensive player, savy veteran, Great shooter (who seems to be getting better)
The only concern is will his wrist injury effect his shot,but Im all for this trade. Bell would make this squad a better defensive team for sure. I know hes hungry for a championship and would give all of his effort to the Spurs...
Damn I wish this could happen....
Bell to miss at least three months
By Marc J. Spears
Golden State Warriors guard Raja Bell will be out a minimum of three months after having surgery on his left wrist in Charlotte Thursday morning, sources tell Yahoo! Sports. Bell will have to keep his wrist immobilized for three weeks.
Bell has played only one game for the Warriors since being acquired along with forward Vladimir Radmanovic from Charlotte in exchange for swingman Stephen Jackson and guard Acie Law on Nov. 16. Prior to the surgery, the Warriors had some hope that Bell might be sidelined for only a few weeks if the injury wasn’t too severe.
Bell is making $5.3 million in the final year of his contract this season and will be a free agent next summer. While the Warriors had received inquiries from other teams about Bell’s availability, an NBA source said the franchise has already become enamored by his veteran leadership and has some interest in re-signing him over the summer. Bell’s value to contending teams is also obviously now limited because he will be out so long.
Warriors forward Anthony Randolph also could return from a left ankle injury as early as Saturday’s game against Orlando. He was initially expected to be out one to two weeks.
Finley/Mason for Bell...bring up Hairston. Do it.
looks like a no then.
i remember when raja was a spur
I like it!!!
Yeah the out three months means the idea of him coming is out the window.
Or you can get him for cheap. It can't hurt that way.
Idk if I want someone who has been out for that long plus if Mason and Bonner keep playing well I don't see it happening.
I didnt realize he was 33. That sucks. I suppose it doesnt really matter now.
Absolutely. I don't care if he is injured - do it.
A couple of questions for the masses:
Anybody think Bell has tailed off a bit defensively during his time with the Suns?
Anybody think Bell is a better shooter than Mason? Or vice versa?
Bell would be awesome as an option to guard Kobe
Pop is a fan
Since Pop loves going small, it would be nice to have an option of Bogans and Bell. The Spurs team defense significantly improves.
I still don't like it if he is going to miss that much time.
I like Raja, but the original article smells like bull. Spurs are not the kind of team that has their intentions known.
I would love for Bell to be on the team.
pull the trigger pop
bell can probably play with a wrist brace on and just play defense on court, its not like we havnt played 1on5 b4....
I hope your not a doctor. I like Bell but I want to see him play a few games before a trade.
Bell is redundant with Hill and Bogans at this point, is too old, and is overrated defensively. He is much older than his defensive years in Phx. No thanks.
I dont mind getting Bell, he is a good one. But again, he is old, another old player with us., is something I dont like
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