The Warriors season ended when the NBA first closed on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, his draft readiness only increased.
For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Warriors are guaranteed the best pick in this year’s draft. Thanks to a record 15-50 worse in the NBA, Golden State has a 14 percent chance of winning the No. 1 pick, tied for the best odds in the league. The Warriors also won’t know how high they choose until the lottery is held on August 25.
But in the event that the Warriors receive the first pick in the draft, which will take place on October 16, which player should they add?
Changing the squad might be the fastest way to restart the Warriors dynasty, but what if they can’t find a team willing to make a deal? Hall of Fame member Chris Mullin, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole and former Warriors general manager Garry St. Jean were tasked with playing GM for the day. They had to discuss who would take No. 1 overall if the Warriors had to keep their team.
St. Jean, who served as the NBA head coach and general manager, was the safest route.
“They take the best player they have on their board,” said St. Jean. “Don’t worry about position. People get caught up in that … Take the best player.”
Now who’s the best player on the Warriors’ big board? There’s no way to tell, but Mullin and Poole have their own evaluations. They argued between two large men, plus a long guard.
James Wiseman, C, Memphis
Wiseman, the nation’s best recruit last season, only played three games as a freshman, but it was enough for Mullin. The Warriors legend loved what he saw from the sports center.
“I like Wiseman. I think he is the type of player who can come in right away,” Mullin said. “It runs across the floor like a gazelle, it can end up around the edge. With that spread offensive, it puts pressure on those balloons and I think it will block the shots.”
The 19-year-old stands at 7 foot 1 and 240 pounds. It was a small sample size, but he demonstrated his talent by averaging 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game before NCAA violations forced him to leave Memphis and prepare for the draft. Golden State must also have been impressed. Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported in early June that the Warriors had already met with Wiseman over Zoom.
“I like Wiseman because I can see that he can produce on day 1 with the things he’s good at,” Mullin said.
Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
Mullin and Poole agree that the Warriors could go big with their first choice. But Poole has a different center in mind. Meet Onyeka Okongwu from USC.
“There is a guy at USC, Onyeka Okongwu, who reminds me a lot of Bam Adebayo in Miami,” said Poole. “And Bam, as we all know, Bam is the type of person everyone wants to have on their team.”
Adebayo, 22, became a star this season for the Heat. In his third year as a professional, he made his first All-Star Game, averaging 16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. Okongwu and Adebayo are listed as small centers at 6-9, but they also have 7-1 wingspans.
And Okongwu also knows how to fill out a stat sheet. He averaged 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game as a freshman.
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Tyrese Haliburton, G, State of Iowa
Warriors could easily decide to stay away from a big man. They already have a young woman in Marquese Chriss and still believe in Kevon Looney. They have also shown that they do not need a star center to win a title.
If they continue their “small ball” philosophy, Haliburton may be the perfect choice.
“The other guy I would consider is Haliburton, because he’s a” tweener, “said Poole,” if you’re looking for someone who can fill the void with the loss of Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. ”
Haliburton is 6-5, and does almost everything well. As a sophomore, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Tuesday that the Warriors are “drugged” with what Haliburton can do. His college coach also said Haliburton would be a great option for Golden State. Perhaps the 20-year-old will share the same backcourt as Steph Curry and Klay Thompson later this year.
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So who will it be?
Wiseman, Okongwu or Haliburton would improve the Warriors. Every time you can add a young and talented asset, your franchise grows stronger.
The Warriors will have a tough decision to make, however Poole believes they could have their eyes on their favorite big man.
“I think they will go big,” he said. “If they have to choose between my two boys, they will go with Okongwu. He is a super athlete. In a draft where the five, six, seven or eight boys are not that far apart, I go with him.”
