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Warriors GM: No Ellis deal

Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis has been a hot name in various NBA trade rumors, including a proposed deal that would send him to the Sixers for Andre Iguodala.

But not so fast, says Warriors GM Larry Riley.

"We are not shopping Monta Ellis," he told Sports Illustrated's Zach Lowe. "It is business as usual here. I think you have to look at what just happened in the Finals — it seemed like Dallas played pretty small guards throughout that series with Miami and did a pretty good job of it. Our problem is not the small backcourt [of Ellis and Stephen Curry]. Our problem is defense."

"We can move forward with this team. Obviously it would be a nice thing if we could acquire a point guard who was 6-foot-4 to come off the bench, or a 2-guard who was 6-5 and could guard point guards — someone off the bench who is a bit longer. But that backcourt in Dallas was not long either. But when I mention Dallas, you have to give Jason Kidd credit, too — he's a great defender. But they still had times when they had both J.J. Barea and Jason Terry on the floor."

Perhaps, Riley just wanted to put an end to the speculation, or maybe this is just posturing with the NBA draft a week away.