Steinmetz: With West on board, expect trade talk

June 7, 2011STEINMETZ ARCHIVEWARRIORS PAGEWARRIORS VIDEOMatt SteinmetzCSNBayArea.com

The speculation about the Warriors possibly trading Monta Ellis to the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Iguodala is out there and it's causing quite a stir on the internet.Rest assured, there will be lots of other Warriors' players mentioned when it comes to trade speculation and deals that are possibly being discussed throughout the league.Call it the Jerry West effect. That's one of the things you sign up for when you bring him on-board.STEINMETZ: Reasons for Monta-for-Igoudala rumors
You see, West has a well-earned reputation for being up-front, candid and honest. You ask him a question, and he'll give you an answer. He's not afraid to make strong statements, the kind that are easy to take to their next logical conclusion.West also has a track record for making things happen. Put those things together and you're going to get big-time trade talk.On the day West was hired, he planted the seeds of a possible trade involving either Ellis or Stephen Curry, the Warriors' talented but smallish backcourt. Yes, West said he'd be very careful moving either guy, but at the same time said the team needed to get bigger in the backcourt.That statement alone -- from one of the league's most-proven movers and shakers in league history -- is enough for the rumor mill to start churning.West made a point of saying on Day 1 that he doesn't like to say things that are prepared or are from any kind of talking-points memo. He said he likes to be surprised by questions and answer off-the-cuff, with a straightforward and truthful basketball response.That's different from the way a lot of NBA executives do it. And because that's West's M.O., it pretty much assures you're going to hear a lot of Warriors' names when it comes to trades.