Warriors open to trade Jackson

Golden State coach Don Nelson said the Warriors are still open to trading Stephen Jackson on Monday, a day after the disgruntled star's agent made disparaging comments about the coach.

"We're trying to accommodate him," Nelson said. "If we can get a good deal, we'll do it. I said that over a month, month and a half ago."

In an interview late Sunday with ESPN, Jackson's agent, Mark Stevens, blamed Nelson for breaking up the Warriors' playoff team from 2007 and questioned his ability to coach.

Nelson declined to discuss Stevens' comments when asked about them before Monday night's home game against Minnesota.

Jackson has been upset with the Warriors' decline since he helped the franchise end a 13-year postseason drought with a trip to the second round of the playoffs in 2007.

He agreed to a three-year, 28-million-dollar contract extension last November but publicly requested a trade in off season.

Jackson relinquished his role as team captain after being suspended for two preseason games when he and Nelson got into a heated exchange during an exhibition game against the Los Angeles Lakers in October.

The suspension cost Jackson approximately 139,000 dollars, and since then the tension between he and the Warriors has grown.

The Warriors lost four of their first five games this season, including Sunday's 120-107 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Stevens told ESPN he watched the game against Sacramento and is determined to get Jackson traded.

"I just want him out of there now," Stevens said. "It doesn't matter where. At this stage, something has to be done. It can't get any worse."

Source: Xinhua