Report: Warriors ‘unlikely’ to use top draft pick on USC big man Onyeka Okongwu

According to Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle, the Warriors are “unlikely” to use a top-5 pick on USC center Onyeka Okongwu.

The suspension of the 2019-20 season has opened up more time for the Golden State Warriors to prepare for the NBA Draft. For the first time in years, the Warriors will have the chance to land a top-tier prospect. Golden State’s league-worst record has lined Steve Kerr and Bob Myers up with a high lottery pick.

In most mock drafts, Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and Killian Hayes lead the way for draft-eligible guards. When it comes to the frontcourt, James Wiseman has been a popular name since the start of the college basketball season. However, after an impressive freshman campaign at USC, Onyeka Okongwu has cemented his place at the top of draft rankings.

In his first season with the Trojans, the 6-foot-9 prospect averaged 16.2 points on 61.6% shooting from the field with 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.

While Okongwu may be rising up big boards, the Warriors could be looking elsewhere for a big man at the top of the draft. According to Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle, Golden State is “unlikely” to use a top-5 pick on the USC big man.

Via The San Francisco Chronicle:

Though the Warriors are higher on USC big man Onyeka Okongwu than Wiseman, a league source told The Chronicle that they are unlikely to use a top-5 pick on Okongwu — especially when they’re not sure he’d be ahead of Chriss on the depth chart. Odds are that, if Golden State traded down into the mid-to late-lottery, Okongwu wouldn’t be available.

Letourneau recently reported the Warriors are “comfortable” entering next season with Marquese Chriss starting at center. Notable play from the Warriors 22-year-old big man could force Myers and Kerr to look outside of the frontcourt when draft season heats up.

In the 20 games before the NBA season was put on hold, the former Washington Husky averaged 13.4 points on 61.2% from the field, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Chriss tallied six double-doubles in that span.

Once the 2019-20 season returns to action, the former lottery-pick will get the opportunity to play alongside a healthy Stephen Curry to cap off his first season in Golden State.

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