Say it ain't so Chris! Dun for $50 big ones?

Warriors fans have all sorts of nicknames for Mike Dunleavy- Dunnuthin', Dunlady, Dumbleavy, Funleavy, etc. If contract extensions were based on the number of nicknames and funny photos floating around the net, we'd say sign the man for the max. But it's all about producing on the court which the former #3 overall pick hasn't exactly done at an All Star level. If the Warriors don't extend his contract by this Monday's midnight deadline, Dunleavy will be a free agent at the end of the season.

It might simply be a sports writer from the Midwest having "unreliable" West Coast sources, but check out what the Detroit News said about Dunleavy's contract situation and it's impact on the artist now known as Prince:

The Pistons, who were defeated by the Mavericks 103-97 Thursday, have until midnight Monday to sign Prince to an extension, otherwise, he will become a restricted free agent in the summer. The Pistons have had a five-year offer, believed to be worth $45 million, on the table for over a week. Duffy has been trying to stretch that closer to $50 million. Over the last couple of days, a new wrinkle has come to the bargaining table -- a wrinkle named Mike Dunleavy. The Warriors fourth-year forward is also working on a five-year extension, and reports out of Golden State believe Dunleavy wants a $50 million deal. The Warriors, it is believed, have offered him a deal closer to $40 million. How does this impact Prince? From the Pistons' standpoint, it doesn't. Dumars has said repeatedly that he can't let how other teams structure their payroll dictate how he structures the Pistons'. But from Prince's point of view, Dunleavy's contract matters. Dunleavy was the third overall pick in the 2003 draft, Prince was the 23rd. Both are the same size and play the same position. Since the two have been in the league, Prince has been to the playoffs every year, including two straight trips to the Finals and one title. Dunleavy and the Warriors have never been in the playoffs. And Prince has dominated statistically, especially when the two have matched up against each other. Prince has more points, rebounds and assists over his career -- despite generally being the fourth option. He's also by far a better defender. Two years ago in a game at Oakland, Prince hit seven straight shots on Dunleavy at the start of the game, causing Dunleavy to be benched. So to Prince, accepting a contract for less money than Dunleavy would be unconscionable. If the Warriors compromise and give Dunleavy $45 million, the Pistons will have to go a bit higher. If they don't, Prince will probably test the free-agent waters. "You don't want it to come to that," Prince said. "But at the same time, you have to do what's right for yourself."

It's understandable why Prince and his agent expect more money than the "wrinkle named Dunleavy". Simply put, Tay is a difference maker on both sides of the court, while Dunleavy is a 4th or 5th option role player at best. Even Dunleavy fans can't dispute that his defense is nowhere near Prince's.

$50 million? That's painful!

Warriors Nation- Should the Warriors cave into Dunleavy's $50 million dollar contract demand?