You can always retain your restricted players, and you can go over the cap to resign current players.  The Warriors would have done the same thing the Sixers did.  Sign Turiaf first while you are under the cap, then resign davis, then your restricted players.

Assuming the same Ellis, Biedrins, Azubuike and Turiaf contracts and no Corey Maggettee or Marcus Williams…

If Baron stayed at his previous rate ($17.8M this year) the Warriors salary would have been – $70,891,429

If Baron opted out and resigned with the Warriors for the same deal he just did with the Clippers ($11.25M this year) they would have been at – $64,341,429

The Warriors current salary is – $62,629,811

This years salary cap is: $58.68 million
This years luxury tax line is: $71.150 million

They would have been over the cap in every scenario and just under the luxury tax line in one.

Biedriens:  I really think this guy is one of the most severely underrated players in the NBA.  Despite being one of many victims of Don Nelson’s totally illogical playing rotations, and yanking people in and out of lineups and a random moments notice, Biedrins has remained rock steady throughout his career.  It’s pretty impressive to average a near double double in only 27 mph.  Unlike other European big’s, he’s VERY feisty, physical, and active, and I’m sure will spend more time adding muscle to his frame.  Solid individual and team defense, plus can block shots, and no matter how few shots you take, shooting 60% FG is impressive.  He’s young, has always been extremely productive in limited minutes…when he gets his deserved 32-34 minutes a game Biedrins is really going to open some eyes.

-Brandon Wright:  Left college way too early…but in that time he proved that he was a legit back to the basket post scorer.  I think it’s safe to say no one knows his ceiling or what he’s truly capable of blossoming into, but all I know is in today’s game it’s extremely rare to have a 6’10 forward with actual old school post man footwork that comes naturally.  He could really be a nice 1-2 punch with Biedrins one day.  He could rebound a bit better though.

-Anthony Randolph:  I LOVE THIS KID!!!  A lot of people here probably got sick of me ranting and raving about this guy during Sixers mock draft periods, but I will hold to it!  I see Randolph as a more talented Tayshaun Prince of PF’s.  He is a BEAST of a shotblocker from the weak and strong sides; his basketball IQ is phenominal, he has a very surprising good post game and footwork (even a nice little baby hook) given his thinframe; can regularly hit a 8-12 foot jumpshot; very tough, full of energy, and active; moves without the ball well; and by all accounts he works his a** off to improve his game. 

I think they will eventually find a taker for Al Harrington’s contract to trade for some picks and a good bench guard, shift Randolph to a very big and versatile SF, and go extremely big with a 6’10 Randolph at SF, 6’11 Wright at PF, and 6’11 Biedrins at C, with M Ellis and Maggette as the backcourt in the future.

Last prediction:  Marcus Williams, while not exactly Mr. Great Attitude and a pretty crappy defender, is an assist machine and knows how to run an offense.  I don’t love his game, but he does have a lot of options to feed the ball too.  He really impressed me back at UConn with his floor leadership abilities, finding guys in the right spots, and making great decisions while driving the lane.  And learning tricks from J-Kidd for two years is a nice little bonus for anyone’s game.  I can see him getting 7.5 assists given Monte’s injury…I think he will really surprise some people until Monte comes back. I can see them going with Marcus at the 1 and Monte at the 2 once healthy again as a different look.