Nelson denied CBS Sportsline.com 's report which quoted sources saying Nelson would be replaced by assistant coach Keith Smart on the bench and moved into a consulting role. Nelson, who is 21 victories shy of becoming the NBA's all-time winningest coach, is nine games into the two-year, $12 million contract extension he signed last fall. He said he intends to finish out his contract,

"Yes, absolutely," he said before Saturday's 129-125 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, when asked if he intends to finish out his contract.

Warriors president Robert Rowell categorically denied the claims in the article. He did say the team hasn't even considered replacing Nelson as coach.

"It's hard to comment on an article when I have never had a discussion with the person who wrote it," said Rowell. "It is complete nonsense."

Rowell said the front office will meet at the end of the road trip but, "It has nothing do with that," referring to Nelson's job security as coach.

The article also said Nelson is trying to trade guard Monta Ellis. Citing team policy, Rowell wouldn't comment on trade speculation. The rocky relationship between Nelson and Ellis has been widely reported. But a team source said Nelson hasn't been dealing with trades. That task is solely general manager Larry Riley's, who is working hard to move swingman Stephen Jackson, the source said.

Nelson did say before Friday's game he wants Ellis on the Warriors .

Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings, who scored 55 points Saturday, was close to being the Warriors' pick during the NBA draft last June. If Minnesota had taken guard Stephen Curry instead of Jonny Flynn, Nelson said the Warriors' decision would have been between Jennings and Arizona big man Jordan Hill.

"At one point," Jennings said after the game, "I did think I was going there. I had a great workout with them. But I landed in a situation that's good for me."

Everything changed once Curry became available. Nelson said Curry was the Warriors' top choice other than Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin, who went No. 1 overall.

"We had (Jennings) right about where we were picking," Nelson said. "We liked him very much. We had him in for a workout, and I went to dinner with him. We thought he was going to be a really good player. So he was right in our sights."

Marcus Thompson II