Richard Hendrix, F, 6-9, Alabama -- The Southeastern Conference's leading rebounder becomes the club's toughest interior force from the first moment he steps onto the court.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: You could argue Monta Ellis posted better overall numbers and it would be fair to say the Warriors would have made the playoffs if Stephen Jackson hadn't missed the first seven games of the season, but Baron Davis was the no-doubt-about-it team MVP. He ranked among the league leaders in scoring (21.8) and assists (7.6), but nobody league-wide was better in one surprising category -- games played. After having been dubbed fragile following consecutive seasons in which he missed 34, 28 and 19 games, Davis was the only Warrior to play in all 82 this season.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: When the Warriors dealt Jason Richardson for a draft pick last June, they knew they'd need Mickael Pietrus to fill some big shoes and have a big season. He appeared ready for it, having improved from 9.3 points and 3.1 assists a game in 2005-06 to 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds last year. Playing for a new contract in 2008-09 only added to his potential. But the Frenchman, who saw his agent get rejected time and again in sign-and-trade offers to get out of Golden State, didn't have his head on straight for four months, then suffered a groin injury just when he was playing his best basketball in March. In the end, the Warriors wish he'd played elsewhere.

BIGGEST NEEDS: In order to build upon the momentum of a 48-win season, the Warriors must re-sign young free agents Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. Both are restricted free agents.

FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Warriors entered the offseason with a remarkable 10 free agents, and Baron Davis' surprising opt-out and departure to the Clippers made it 11. The 10 left: Ellis, Biedrins, Mickael Pietrus, Matt Barnes, Patrick O'Bryant, Kosta Perovic, Austin Croshere, Troy Hudson, Kelenna Azubuike and C.J. Watson. Retaining Ellis and Biedrins are Priorities 1 and 1A.

PLAYER NOTES:

--Baron Davis shocked the Warriors by opting out of his contract and immediately agreeing to a verbal contract with the Los Angeles Clippers for a reported $65 million over five years. The blow to the Warriors from Davis' departure can't be overstated and may end up as the team's major storyline next season.

--Kosta Perovic might be returning to Europe after one year with the Warriors. The 7-foot-2 center saw action in only seven games in his NBA rookie season, totaling 10 points and 13 rebounds. Reportedly, Maccabi Tel Aviv has made him an offer the Warriors will not come close to matching.

--Mickael Pietrus wanted to leave the Warriors as a restricted free agent last summer, but the club could not find an acceptable sign-and-trade offer for the Frenchman. Now he's an unrestricted free agent, but the Warriors certainly have not given up hope of re-signing him. Drafting two big men only increased the possibility the 6-foot-6 swingman will be offered a contract to return.