Warriors quandary: What to do with Brandan Wright

The Warriors had their own lottery-pick forward for whom they had such high hopes: Brandan Wright. No, he's not at the level of Griffin, whom the Los Angeles Clippers -- today's opponent -- selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 draft. But Wright shows flashes of being dynamic. Is that potential still enough to keep him around?

"The toughest part is how far along he would've been had he not gotten hurt," Warriors coach Keith Smart said, "and all the growth he would've made by this time. "... There is still a big upside, I believe, that is going to take place."

Three-and-a-half years ago, that upside helped prompt the Warriors to give up the heart of their franchise in guard Jason Richardson. They traded him to Charlotte for a long, athletic, freshman forward from North Carolina. Three-plus seasons and more than $11 million later, Wright, 23, barely gets off the Warriors bench. A perfect storm of injuries, inexperience, an impatient head coach and inconsistent play conspired to cause Wright to miss more games (194) than he's played (88).

As a result, the Warriors are left wondering how long to wait. Having invested so much, do they see it through? Or do they cut their losses, trade his expiring $3.98 million contract before the Feb. 24 deadline and risk Wright reaching his potential with another team?

"There is definitely still a chance," Wright said after Saturday's practice at USC. "I'm just in a stale position right now. I can go either one or two ways: I can be here or I can go elsewhere and try to show that I'm still young in my career, and I still have a lot of growing to do as a player."

Per team sources, the Warriors would trade Wright if they could receive something of value in return. But his injury history, limited playing time and lack of production have caused his stock to tank. Still, his expiring contract becomes valuable to general manager Larry Riley when included with one or more of the Warriors' other larger expiring contracts.

But the small strides Wright has made, the flashes he shows, could entice the Warriors to wait a bit longer. Wright has developed a nearly unstoppable hook in the lane and has a steadily improving midrange jumper. He is still the most explosive big man on a front line that could use athleticism.

"Obviously, right now, I don't fit because I'm not playing," Wright said. "I love it here. But, hey, if I'm not here, what can I do? Right now, I'm the odd man out. Trade deadline is coming up, and I'm sure I'll be involved in some type of discussions. But, like I said, I still haven't come close to what I am able to do in this league, and I feel like I'm growing every day."