The size of the contract extensions signed by Golden State duo Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy suprised many, especially when you consider the reports that the sides were far apart in negotiations close to the deadline.  Is there more behind these signings than meets the eye?

If you read Dave Del Grande's column in Saturday's Oakland Tribune, then the answer is yes.

According to Del Grande, with the approval of Richardson and Murphy agent Dan Fegan, the respresentative of both players, threatened to 'make the Warriors' season a living hell if Chris Mullin wouldn't come up in his extension offers'. But Mullin wouldn't budge.

Fegan then did something that turned the negotiations in his favor -- and very well could turn the fans against his players. He went public with his threat.

Under tremendous pressure, Mullin cracked during 13th-hour negotiations. He went up close to $5 million in each player's offer.

According to Del Grande 'Richardson and Murphy were ready to sabotage the Warriors' season if Mullin didn't make them really, really rich rather than just filthy rich.'

It is believed that Mullin folded to avoid undoing all the positive publicity heading into the new season.  The team had just brought in a new coach and were talking playoffs for the first time in years, then you have your two best players threatening to demand trades should they not be re-signed.