The Golden State Warriors have let Larry Hughes go.

The Warriors had the opportunity to make a qualifying offer of $2.9 million to Hughes.  If Hughes didn?t come up with a better offer elsewhere, he would have played for the Warriors for this amount in the upcoming season.  If he did get a better offer, the Warriors would have had the opportunity to match the offer.

But Brad Weinstein of SF Gate says the Warriors issued a four-sentence statement crafted by general manager Garry St. Jean and released through a public-relations official, thanking the four-year pro for contributions that are no longer wanted.

When the Warriors got Hughes in a three-team trade involving Chicago and Philadelphia two years ago, they claimed they had "scooped the league."

A year later Hughes was replaced by Jason Richardson.  Then after drafting Jiri Welsch and Steve Logan this year, the Warriors no longer need Richardson.

Hughes? agent, Jeffrey Wechsler, said that by late afternoon Monday eight teams had inquired about Hughes on the first day of the free-agent negotiating period.

The Warriors also appear to be letting Dean Oliver and Mookie Blaylock leave, along with Dean Garrett and Cedric Henderson.  The five departures clear $14 million in salary space.  Most of this money will be used to pay their draft picks plus Antawn Jamison.