As the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs begins in the Orlando Bubble, the Golden State Warriors have turned their attention to the draft. For the first time since 2002, the Warriors will be on the clock in the top-five selections on draft day.
Following the NBA Draft Lottery, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr can put together a strategy for Golden State’s plans when they’re on the clock in October.
Before they make their pick, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable selections — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.
While Golden State’s No. 2 overall selection will get a majority of the attention in 2020, the Warriors are slated to have a pair of picks in the second round. In 2012, Golden State found a gem in the second round.
June 28, 2012
Six picks after Kentucky’s Anthony Davis went No. 1 overall to the New Orleans Hornets; the Golden State Warriors selected Harrison Barnes out of North Carolina at No. 7. Before the second round began, the Warriors picked Vanderbilt’s Festus Ezeli with the final move of the first round.
To add to an impressive draft haul in his first season as Golden State’s general manager, Myers picked Draymond Green out of Michigan State with the fifth pick of the second round.
In his rookie year with the Warriors, Green appeared in 79 games, averaging 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 points, 0.7 steals and 0.5 assists per contest.
Watch highlights from Green’s debut season via YouTube:
Following his rookie campaign in the Bay Area, the former Spartan blossomed into a three-time All-Star. Prior to 2020, Green was named to the All-NBA team twice and the All-Defensive team five times. After leading the league in steals in 2016-17, Green was named Defensive Player of the Year. Alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Green played an instrumental piece in Golden State’s run to three NBA championships.
With a high pick, Andrew Wiggins and a healthy edition of the Splash Brothers, Green will be in the middle of Golden State’s climb back to the top of the Western Conference in 2021.
Along with Green, Ezeli, Barnes and Davis, the 2012 NBA Draft class included Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Andre Drummond, and Khris Middleton.
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