As the league’s restart is looming, players across the NBA have officially entered the Orlando Bubble. However, the Golden State Warriors will be watching from home With the league’s worst record at 15-50, the Warriors are one of eight teams on the outside of the bubble.
With no hoops on Golden State’s calendar, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr can turn their attention to the NBA Draft. For the first time since 2002, the Warriors will have the opportunity to make a selection in the top-five picks.
Before Golden State hits the clock in October, Warriors Wire is rewinding through the organization’s draft history to highlight the most memorable selections — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.
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In 2007, the Warriors eyed an Italian shooter in the first round of the NBA Draft.
June 28, 2007
To start the 2007 edition of the NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Ohio State big man Greg Oden with the first overall pick. Fast forward 17 selection, Golden State’s Chris Mullin and Don Nelson were on the clock.
Coming off a dramatic playoff run, the “We Believe” Warriors were looking to add a piece that could push them deeper into the postseason. With the No. 18 overall pick, the Warriors landed Italy’s Marco Belinelli in the first round.
Watch the moment Belinelli became a member of the Golden State Warriors via YouTube:
Before arriving at the NBA stage, Belinelli gained experience in Italy’s Series A with Virtus Bologna and Fortitudo Bologna.
In his rookie season in the Bay Area, Belinelli slid behind Baron Davis and Monta Ellis in Golden State’s backcourt. As a rookie, Belinelli played a limited role, averaging 2.9 points on 38.7% shooting from the field and 39.0% from beyond the arc with 0.5 assists and 0.4 rebounds per game.
As a sophomore, Belinelli increased his playing time from 7.3 minutes to 21.0 minutes per contest. Belinelli started 23 of his 33 games in 2008-09, averaging 8.9 points on 44.2% shooting from the field and 39.7% from long distace with 2.1 assists and 1.7 boards per game.
With a bevy of wings on the roster in 2009, the Warriors moved their former first-rounder to the Toronto Raptors for veteran Devean George. A decade later, Belinelli has some hardware in his trophy room. The former Golden State guard is an NBA Finals champion (2014) with the San Antonio Spurs and a 3-Point Contest Champion (2014).
Other notable players from the 2007 NBA draft class include Kevin Durant, Florida’s Al Horford, USC’s Nick Young and Spain’s Marc Gasol.
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