AP source: Warriors to ink Maggette to 5-year deal

[July 09, 2008]  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The Golden State Warriors will sign high-scoring free agent Corey Maggette to a five-year contract worth around $50 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal can't be announced until Wednesday at the earliest, confirmed Maggette will leave the Los Angeles Clippers for a lucrative long-term deal with the fast-paced Warriors, who outbid several suitors for the former Duke star.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the deal.

Maggette, a 6-foot-6 swingman who led Los Angeles in scoring last season, should fit splendidly into Golden State coach Don Nelson's pell-mell style of play. He averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season for the moribund Clippers, finishing slightly off his career highs in all three categories.

Maggette has been with the Clippers since 2000, longer than any other player. But Maggette and teammate Elton Brand opted out of the final years of their contracts last week, with Maggette turning down $7 million for next season.

The 28-year-old Maggette will trade places on the California coast with Baron Davis, who spurned the Warriors last week for his hometown Clippers. Davis, who was considered the Warriors' team leader until his abrupt decision to opt out of a $17 million deal for next season, accepted a smaller salary in Los Angeles for a long-term contract and the chance to team up with Brand and perhaps Maggette.

Instead, Davis looks to be stuck on another rebuilding Clippers roster. The club is expected to lose Brand as well, amid reports he has agreed to a long-term deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Warriors also made a play for the power forward, likely driving up Brand's price.

Davis' departure cleared room under the Warriors' salary cap for Maggette, who reportedly drew attention from Boston, San Antonio, Detroit, Utah and Orlando. Golden State apparently offered more money and a longer term than most of Maggette's suitors, who mostly couched their offers at the mid-level salary cap exception.

Maggette easily could fill the void left by underachieving Golden State swingmen Mickael Pietrus, who's expected to sign with Orlando, and Matt Barnes, who won't be back, according to Nelson.

Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington are the only veteran regulars currently under contract to the Warriors, but top basketball executive Chris Mullin has said high-scoring guard Monta Ellis and center Andris Biedrins -- both restricted free agents -- will be back at any price, hopefully with long-term deals.

Promising youngsters Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli also will return for their second NBA seasons, along with rookies Anthony Randolph and Richard Hendrix.

Nelson has promised to give more playing time to his young players in the upcoming season, even at the expense of a few victories. Still, with Maggette's arrival, the Warriors will have three veterans who each averaged 20 points per game last season.

[Associated Press; By GREG BEACHAM]

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