Although there is still a long way until the NBA draft, the buzz is already starting to circulate around the Golden State Warriors’ pick.
With a 15-50 record, the Warriors will have a chance to grab an elite prospect at the start of the lottery. However, the 2020 draft class still has a bit of mystery to it.
With the college basketball season over, names like Isaac Okoro, Obi Toppin and Onyeka Okongwu have surged to the top of many draft boards. Yet, two prospects have dominated the start of mock drafts for months.
James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball are considered high caliber prospects by many, but the Warriors might think differently.
According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Golden State Warriors “aren’t believed to be high” on Ball or Wiseman.
Via the San Francisco Chronicle:
According to multiple league sources The Chronicle contacted in the past few days, the Warriors — contrary to what mock drafts might suggest — aren’t believed to be high on two of the three players being mentioned as possibilities at the No. 1 pick: former Memphis center James Wiseman and point guard LaMelo Ball, who last played for the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League. As one source put it, “I think they’d only take one of those two if they were trading down in the draft and taking them for another team.
Each prospect has an appealing skill set that bills them worthy of a high selection, but both have their question marks.
Ball’s blend of size and playmaking skills make him an intriguing point guard prospect. Yet, there are still concerns about his fit in Golden State. At the start of his career, the Chino Hills product would likely have to come off the bench behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
After a stint of eligibility problems, Wiseman’s college basketball career ended after three games. Although the young big’s time with the Memphis Tigers was impressive, there’s still only limited evidence to project Wiseman’s game to the next level.
The steady play of Marquese Chriss could take Golden State out of the running for Wiseman’s talents. Bob Myers and Steve Kerr could opt to use their pick on a wing instead of investing in the frontcourt.
Although the speculation surrounding the Warriors’ upcoming pick has already kicked off, the draft process is only in the early stages. A lot could change as June approaches.
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