The end of the NBA Finals has turned the page to the sweet spot of draft season. After an extended layoff, the Golden State Warriors are just a little over a month away from being on the clock with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 draft.
Although the draft is nearing, there’s still little clarity on Bob Myers and Steve Kerr’s plan for the Warriors’ first pick in the top five since 2002. Does Golden State use the choice on a prospect that can contribute right away? Do they eye a prospect with high potential for the future? If there isn’t a player that fits either of these descriptions, the Warriors could opt to move the pick on draft night.
In Bleacher Report’s latest NBA Mock Draft, Jonathan Wasserman explores the idea of Golden State trading the pick. In Wasserman’s mock, the Warriors link up with the Atlanta Hawks and the Indiana Pacers for a blockbuster deal.
In the mock trade, the Warriors land center Myles Turner from Indiana and the No. 6 overall pick from Atlanta for the No. 2 pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves 2021 first-round pick and Andrew Wiggins. Minnesota’s 2021 pick and Wiggins end up in Atlant as part of a three-team trade.
While both Marquese Chriss and Kevon Looney have served as intriguing options for Golden State’s frontcourt in the past, Turner’s arrival gives Golden State a dynamic presence on the inside.
At only 24-years-old, the Texas Longhorns product has already recorded five seasons in the NBA. Despite Turner’s resume, his production has steadily declined after a breakout season in 2015-17. Last season, the 6-foot-11 big man averaged 12.1 points on 45.7% shooting with 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
There’s no doubt Turner has a skill set that can help Golden State, but if he does land in the Bay Area, it will be on Kerr and company to unlock his true potential.
After acquiring Turner, the Warriors picked up Auburn’s Isaac Okoro with the No. 6 overall pick in the Bleacher Report mock draft. According to Wasserman, the Auburn wing has a “convincing defensive profile.”
Via Bleacher Report:
He has a convincing defensive profile with a strong, 6’6″ frame, powerful legs, quick feet and discipline. And though not a creator or reliable shooter, Okoro shot 60.7 percent inside the arc, scoring by driving, cutting and capitalizing on his strength and footwork in the post.
View the rest of Bleacher Report’s NBA mock draft here.
Isaac Okoro is relentless on defense. pic.twitter.com/jUI8ID4amS
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) April 12, 2020
During his freshman season with Bruce Pearl at Auburn, the 19-year-old averaged 12.9 points on 51.4% shooting from the field with 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per contest.
In the Rookie Wire’s pre-combine NBA Draft Big Board 4.0, the Second-Team All-SEC member came in at No. 8 in the top 100. According to Bryan Kalbrosky, Okoro is an athletic “defensive wunderkind” on the perimeter.
Via Rookie Wire:
Auburn’s Isaac Okoro is arguably the most athletic player in the 2020 NBA Draft and as a defensive wunderkind, he can guard the perimeter and the ball handler in pick-and-roll sets. He has excelled when driving to the basket as a finisher on offense, but an unproven ability to score otherwise will limit what he can be in the NBA until further developed.
If the Warriors do decide to move back in the draft, Okoro needs to be a name to consider outside the top 3. pic.twitter.com/KHliTAm3Mg
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) April 13, 2020
With the Warriors’ lack of athleticism paired with inconsistent options in the frontcourt, Myers and Kerr could fill two areas of need with Bleacher Report’s proposed draft-night deal.
However, the loss of Wiggins erases a scoring option for Kerr’s offense. Without Wiggins, the pressure will fall on Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to take care of a majority of scoring on the wing. If they decide to move the 2014 first overall pick, the Warriors will need to make a play for a scoring threat in free agency.
Speculation aside, Kerr and Myers will only have the next month to put the finishing touches on their highly-anticipated draft-day plan.