Warriors Reserving The Right To Void Monta Ellis' Contract

The Warriors are "retaining the option to extend the 30-game suspension " of G Monta Ellis, and also reserve the right to void Ellis' six-year, $66M contract signed in July, according to Scott Howard-Cooper of the SACRAMENTO BEE. The Warriors earlier this month suspended Ellis for violating the terms in his contract when he was injured in a moped accident. The Warriors would choose to void Ellis' deal only if he "struggles mightily to recover" from the injury, which "even then would be a tough call, probably in summer 2009 at the earliest." Howard-Cooper wrote the Warriors "don't want to be on the hook for $66[M] for damaged goods" ( SACBEE.com, 10/16 ). BATTLE IN THE POST : In San Jose, Tim Kawakami writes under the header, "Battle Lines Drawn In Warriors Front Office." The dispute between Warriors President Robert Rowell and Exec VP/Basketball Operations Chris Mullin is "developing into a Rowell landslide" because Rowell "isn't merely Mullin's opponent in this intensifying front-office showdown." Rowell is the "boss, negotiator, banker, judge, jury, arbitrator and Supreme Court majority." Unless Rowell is "dethroned" or Owner Chris Cohan is "de-owned, it's likely that Mullin will either leave after his contract expires in June or that he will be forced to sign a new Warriors deal on Rowell's terms" ( SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/17 ).

Warriors Reserve The Right To Extend Ellis' Suspension Or Void His Contract Entirely