Warriors Continue to Deny Monta Ellis Trade Chatter


Golden State GM Larry Riley keeps insisting that nothing is in play for Monta Ellis, though no one seems particularly interested in believing him. The latest, via CSN: “There have been separate reports in the past week, one linking Ellis to a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers and another linking him with the Orlando Magic. ‘Nobody is saying … ‘What will it take to get Monta Ellis?’ Riley said. ‘We’re in a situation where the calls are no more than they normally are around the trade deadline or around this time of year. Let’s face it: I like Monta, (coach) Mark Jackson likes Monta and (owner) Joe Lacob likes Monta. ‘This is one of those things where there have been at least two stories that were absolute fabrications. Some of those things that are coming out are an insult to the people on the other side.’ Riley was clearly referring to a DraftExpress.com report that said the Warriors had offered Ellis, power forward Ekpe Udoh and Andris Biedrins for Magic center Dwight Howard. ESPN.com reported earlier last week that the Warriors and Philly were talking about an Ellis-for-Andre Iguodala trade. ‘It’s very likely that (Ellis) will not be traded on draft night or even through the summer,’ Riley said. ‘I’m not looking at that happening. It would take something that I don’t see right now for that to happen.'”