I was entirely on the same page with you about Pierce for Barnes and I really thought we should have done everything we could at the deadline to try and convince Golden State they needed to make a move to go deep in the playoffs.
That being said, with the way the Warriors have played thus far in addition to Barnes seriously stepping up his numbers compared to his regular season average, I think this dream has finally died. No way they move Barnes with the way he is playing on a rookie deal.
I still think Golden State could be a landing spot for Pierce but it would probably be more of a package like:
Boston gets:
Ezeli, Biedrins (expiring), Jefferson (expiring) and 2014 first
Warriors get:
Pierce and Terry
Golden State brings in PP and his expiring deal to mentor Barnes and provide veteran leadership in exchange for their big expiring contracts, Ezeli who has upside and their 2014 first (which is probably going to be late in the round).
honestly I don't think they would even give up the first and maybe not even Ezeli. I just don't see how that trade does anything for them as it doesn't help with their interior deficiencies or their defensive deficiencies in the back court.
Really?
I guess it depends on how other things shake out for Golden State in terms of bringing back guys like Landry/Jack and what other deals are out there for their expiring contracts, but I can't see how they'd turn that down.
No it doesn't address their major needs, but it is a HUGE increase of talent and experience for their team.
Pierce is still a top 5 SF at his age and a 16m expiring deal to boot. In exchange Golden State give up two guys with expiring contracts that they never play anyway, a below average 7 footer whose ceiling is probably a very solid rotational big and a 2014 pick which they hope is at the very back end of the first round. Thats really not that much to give up, short term or long term, for Pierce if they want to make a serious push next year.
If they considered Pierce for Barnes at all, then Pierce for Ezeli and a first is like offering them Pierce for half the original price. Barnes is lanky enough to pick up mins at PF (like Jeff Green) and Lee and Bogut can split the center duties.