Warriors fans were abuzz with the opt-out loss of Baron Davis, a shocking blow that was only partially countered by the signing of Corey Maggette. Mix in the departure of Michael Pietrus and the potential addition of Ronny Turiaf (who signed an offer sheet), and the Warriors were still on the negative side of the free agent spectrum after the first week.

Things could get worse if the team were to be unable to re-sign Monta Ellis or Andris Biedrins, a pair of young restricted free agents who are seen as the cornerstones of the franchise's future.

Having the advantage in both cases of matching any offer, the Warriors put off dealing with their young stars while they tried to patch up the damage done by the Davis signing with the Clippers. Landing Maggette and, potentially, Turiaf, ate up about $15 million of cap space, but still left close to $20 million with which to convince Ellis and Biedrins to stay.

It might take every cent of it to keep Ellis from being lured by Memphis and Biedrins by Oklahoma City, but the Warriors have no choice but to go all-in after what happened with Davis. Re-signing those two would leave a starting lineup of Ellis, Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Brandan Wright and Biedrins, with Marco Belinelli, Kelenna Azubuike (if re-signed at a cheap price), Al Harrington, Turiaf and rookies Anthony Randolph and Richard Hendrix providing the depth.

Is that a 50-win team, the number it took to make the Western playoffs last season? Not likely. Even a 48-game winner, which would match last year's total? Probably not.

Losing Ellis or Biedrins would give the team an even dimmer prospect.