Owner wants to sell Warriors

<p>In the span of a year, the Golden State Warriors have changed their star player and their head basketball decision maker. Now, change could happen even higher on the totem pole.</p><p>Warriors majority owner Chris Cohan is looking to sell the team, according to multiple sources. He recently negotiated with Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, but couldn't reach an agreement.</p><p>Still, he is looking to "cash out" and is open to offers.</p><p>The Warriors did not return phone calls seeking comment.</p><p>According to one of the sources, potential suitors have tried to take advantage of Cohan's perceived vulnerability and get the Warriors at a bargain. Cohan reportedly has money problems, including a tax evasion claim against by the IRS. The Warriors' success in 2007 and 2008 appears to have been a brief stint among the land of the living. Golden State is coming off a 29-win season with little expectations of a dramatic turnaround in the immediate future.</p><p>The economy also has an impact. Basketball revenue is down and expected to continue in decline. The NBA salary cap, which is based on basketball revenue, dropped $1 million for next season and the NBA warned teams it could drop more than $4 million the following season.</p><p>Despite these factors, one of the sources said Cohan won't be low-balled. According to Forbes annual report of the value of sports franchises, Golden State is valued at $335 million. Cohan purchased the Warriors in 1995 for $119 million and currently owns 80 percent of the franchise.</p><p>"If he gets the right offer," one source said, "I think he would sell the team right now. But he's not giving it away for pennies."</p><p>The San Jose Mercury News has learned Cohan also had talks with some minority owners about buying him out.</p><p>Cohan's interest in selling is only the start of the process, which could take a couple of years. First a potential suitor and Cohan would have to agree on a deal, which would lead to a laborious transition of ownership. The NBA would have to approve any sale.</p><h3>WARRIORS SIGN CURRY</h3> <p>The Warriors signed rookie guard Stephen Curry to a contract, as expected. The sharp-shooter out of Davidson was the No. 7 overall selection in last month's draft and received a two-year guaranteed deal with two team options.</p><p>The amount if the contract is pre-set, based on the NBA rookie salary scale. Curry, based on where he is picked, is scheduled to make $2.26 million. Teams are allowed to pay up to 120 percent of the pre-set salary, which Curry received, according to a team source.</p><p>So, Curry will make $2.7 million in his first year and $2.9 million in his second season. The Warriors have a team option for $3.1 million in 2011-12 and $3.96 million in 2013-14.</p><p>Curry is in Las Vegas with the team getting ready to play in the NBA Summer League. He was previously mentioned in draft-day trade rumors as the Warriors talked with the Phoenix Suns about a trade for All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire. But the Warriors are enamored with Curry, who will play point guard for them, and they said he wouldn't be traded.</p><p>According to a team source, the talks with Phoenix about Stoudemire are ongoing, and Curry is still not part of the negotiations.</p>