"Warriors general manager Larry Riley said Monday the team likely won't trade Monta Ellis, but he implied that a big-time offer would make him reconsider.

Riley, however, denied reports about a deal being imminent during a talk with local media at the team's facility in Oakland.

His stance on Ellis shed some light on the Warriors' draft intentions Thursday night. Golden State has the 11th pick in the first round.

"How many shooting guards are better than Monta Ellis?" Riley said. "He's pretty special. It's very likely that he will not be traded on draft night or even through the summer."

Riley said the consensus among team officials is that it can win with the small backcourt of Ellis and point guard Stephen Curry, both of whom go about 6-foot-3, 180 pounds. That means Golden State won't be using Ellis' trade value to fill any needs, which makes the draft that much more important.

The Warriors, who have talked defense all through the offseason, might have to use their top pick to address that end of the floor. That has Riley, who usually prefers to take the best player available, considering drafting for need.

The most noted defensive players who could be available at No. 11 are Florida State's Chris Singleton and big man Bismack Biyombo from the Congo. Singleton is expected to be a lockdown perimeter defender, and Biyombo is arguably the best defensive big man in the draft.

But both present a problem for the Warriors, who already feature two players -- center Andris Biedrins and Ekpe Udoh, last year's top pick -- who don't contribute much on offense."