Tag: Isaac Okoro

NBA Draft: Auburn’s Isaac Okoro is a name to watch for the Golden State Warriors

Could Auburn’s Isaac Okoro be a trade down target for the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA draft?

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors are expected to hold a high lottery pick in the 2020 NBA draft. With mock draft season heating up, the Warriors have been connected to several noteworthy prospects. Obi Toppin and Anthony Edwards have been popular names at the top of projections to the Warriors, but what if the team decides to trade back?

Golden State owner Joe Lacob recently mentioned the Warriors are “looking at all scenarios” – including the possibility of trading back. If the Warriors decided to use their top selection as an asset, there’s a group of intriguing prospects that could fit Golden State outside of the top three.

After an impressive season in eastern Alabama, Auburn’s Issac Okoro has quickly been trending up draft boards. The 19-year-old wing averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists during his freshman season. Yet, it’s what he does off the stat sheet that makes him a name to watch for the Golden State Warriors.

Okoro is labeled as one of the best defenders in the prospect class. With the right blend of strength and athleticism, Okoro proved he can guard nearly every position on the floor at 6-foot-6. The freshman’s best tool in his defensive arsenal is his basketball IQ. The wing prospect consistently showed off an understanding of spacing, passing lanes and defensive angles. Okoro earned a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team.

Okoro only recorded more than 20 points once in 28 games during his freshman season, but he does possess positive potential traits on offense. While he’s not much of a shooter — 29% from beyond the arc, Okoro is explosive at the rim. Although he’s not a threat from long distance, Okoro is active without the ball in his hands to get open. The Auburn product’s basketball IQ translates to the offensive side of the floor with his cutting ability. When Okoro starts to attack with the basketball, he’s a missile when it comes to getting to the hoop.

Okoro would provide a defensive chess piece off the bench for Steve Kerr in Golden State. On the offensive side of the ball, Okoro wouldn’t have to worry about shooting playing with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

If the Warriors move from the top of the draft, Auburn’s freshman Tiger needs to be a name to consider outside the top-three. However, with Okoro’s upside, he won’t be available for long once the clock starts in June’s draft.

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Joe Lacob: Warriors looking at all scenarios in NBA draft, including a trade down

Could the Warriors be eyeing a trade down scenario in the 2020 draft?

While the NBA season is on hold, the Golden State Warriors have turned their attention to the draft. With a bottom record in the standings, the Warriors are expected to own a top selection for the first time in years.

Most teams with high picks in the draft are typically going through a rebuild, forcing them to use their top pick on a prospect to jumpstart their franchise for the future. Yet, the Warriors are in a different situation.

Although injuries derailed Golden State’s chances at returning to the NBA Finals for the sixth straight season, the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are still on the roster for 2020-21. The Warriors could explore a bevy of directions with their pick to maximize their championship core’s run.

Golden State owner Joe Lacob joined Tim Kawakami of The Athletic on “The TK Show” to discuss the Warriors plans for the draft. Lacob mentioned trading down in the draft could be a possibility.

Via The TK Show Podcast:

We’re going to look at all scenarios. Honestly, it’s been, look — I’m not going to hide this — we’re going to look at drafting someone at our position, we’re going to look at, maybe we trade down, I mean that’s a possibility. I’m not saying it’s even preferred or not preferred. I’m just saying it’s something we’re going to have to look at. We’re going to look at all options, and we’re going to figure out a way to have our team be the best possible team that it could be for this year, but still with an eye towards building for the future.

With no basketball on the calendar until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lacob and the Warriors’ front office will have plenty of time to prepare how they’ll navigate through June’s draft.

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Warriors select Georgia’s Anthony Edwards at the top of ESPN’s latest mock draft

Another 2020 NBA mock draft has the Golden State Warriors selecting Georgia’s Anthony Edwards with the first pick.

With the worst record in the league with 17 games remaining on the calendar, the Golden State Warriors are expected to own an early selection in the 2020 NBA draft for the first time in years. Although there isn’t a top overall prospect, Golden State will have the chance to grab a highly touted player in June’s draft.

While the NBA slate is on hold until further notice, mock draft season has taken off ahead of schedule. With new waves of simulations pouring in, one member of the 2020 draft class is becoming a popular choice for the Golden State Warriors.

Another projection has Georgia’s Anthony Edwards penciled in with the Golden State Warriors with the first pick in 2020. In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz tap the Georgia freshman to bring “instant offense” to Golden State at the top of the draft.

Via ESPN:

Edwards would add instant offense to an already high-powered nucleus with his ability to get downhill and rise up from anywhere on the floor. Small-ball lineups featuring Stephen Curry, Edwards, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green would offer an intriguing blend of skill and bounce, while Edwards also has the long-term upside to grow into the face of the franchise down the line.

During his only season in Athens, Edwards exploded onto the Southeastern Conference scene with 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. The freshman shot 40.1% from the field and 29.4% from beyond the arc while recording seven games with 25 points or more for the Bulldogs.

Although it’s still early in the draft process, Edwards is becoming a favorite to hear his name called first in June’s draft.

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2020 aggregate NBA mock draft 5.0: International prospects are rising

Scouting and preparing for the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft is incredibly challenging due to circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Scouting and preparing for the upcoming 2020 NBA draft is incredibly challenging due to circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

As always, we examine the mock drafts from the most trusted analysts to give us the best idea of a consensus for what the upcoming class will look like in June. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from experts at ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic, SB Nation, Sporting News and USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.

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Currently, the first three players expected to be selected (Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman) have remained in the exact same order for the third aggregate mock draft in a row.

After dropping from No. 5 all the way to No. 11 between December and January, Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Deni Avdija has jumped back to No. 4 for this version.

He played well recently at the 2020 Eurobasket Qualifiers, scoring 21 points with eight rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal while also shooting 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. This was a welcome change of pace for scouts hoping to learn as much as possible about Avdija as he had averaged just 4.0 points in 14.3 minutes in Euroleague games earlier this season.

Several other prospects playing overseas have seen their stock increase as well. This makes some sense considering many in the NCAA rely on their performance in March Madness to solidify their draft position whereas the international players gain momentum in other ways.

Killian Hayes, who was ranked No. 18 overall on our last aggregate mock draft, jumped up to No. 8 for this edition. The 6-foot-5 guard was 14-for-61 (39 percent) from 3-point range while also connecting on 90.9 percent of his free-throw attempts during Eurocup action. Several outlets are currently projecting him as a Top 5 pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

Another prospect playing outside of the United States but currently making waves is Leandro Bolmaro. He debuted on our aggregate mock draft in the most recent edition before this one but has jumped all the way to No. 29 this time around.

Meanwhile, in the NCAA, some college basketball players managed to make some serious momentum for themselves before the season was unexpectedly cut short. Some of those players are seniors Killian Tillie (Gonzaga), Grant Riller (Charleston), Udoka Azubuike (Kansas) and Desmond Bane (TCU).

As mentioned here, it makes sense for upperclassmen to be more appealing in this class than in previous years. Seniors have far more game film to draw film which may be necessary considering individual team workouts and even the 2020 NBA Draft Combine may be canceled. Plus, older players are likely more ready to contribute immediately.

On the flip side, there are freshmen around the country who have seen their draft stock drastically decline in recent months.

Oregon’s N’Faly Dante has fallen off our boards completely after playing just twelve games and making no appearances in the starting lineup. Kahlil Whitney, who was considered a lottery pick when we did this exercise in October 2019, also dropped off after withdrawing from Kentucky.

Some other freshmen who saw their draft stock fall: Duke’s Matthew Hurt was ranked No. 16 overall back in October but is now at No. 76 overall. LSU’s Trendon Watford was ranked No. 14 in October but has fallen to No. 63. Florida’s Scottie Lewis was No. 9 in July and is currently No. 53 overall.

Less drastic but still valid: Arizona’s Nico Mannion has fallen from No. 6 back in January 2020 all the way to No. 16 now in April. Likewise, UNC’s Cole Anthony dropped from No. 2 back in July 2019 to No. 10 in our new study.

But some encouraging news for prospects who were considered Top-25 recruits coming out of high school but had a disappointing freshman year (e.g. Duke’s Wendell Moore as well as the aforementioned Dante, Whitney, Watford, Hurt and Lewis) can be found in Kentucky’s Immanuel Quickley.

The 6-foot-3 guard was the No. 13 overall recruit in the nation coming into Kentucky as a freshman. But after averaging just 5.2 points as a freshman, he returned for his sophomore campaign.

Fortunately, the SEC Player of the Year dramatically improved his draft stock in 2019-20. His season was highlighted by 21.3 points per game in February and a free throw percentage (92.3%) that ranked as the sixth-best among all underclassmen. This month, he debuted on our aggregate mock draft at No. 42 overall.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.

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Warriors select Anthony Edwards with first pick in Rookie Wire NBA mock draft

Another mock draft has the Golden State Warriors selecting Anthony Edwards at the top of the 2020 NBA draft.

With mock draft season underway, a mix of James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball and Obi Toppin have loomed near the top of all projections. However, one name is becoming a popular pick for the Golden State Warriors.

After tallying 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest during his freshman season in Athens, Anthony Edwards is looking like an early lottery lock in June’s draft.

In Bryan Kalbrosky’s latest mock draft for USA Today’s Rookie Wire, the Warriors call on Georgia’s fierce combo guard with the first overall pick. According to Kalbrosky, the Warriors land a prospect packed with potential star power.

Via Rookie Wire:

The Warriors, obviously, have little need for a player who needs the ball in his hands as often as Anthony Edwards does. But the SEC Freshman of the Year arguably has the most star power of anyone in this draft class. Edwards averaged a strong 21.8 points per game in February and is a highlight-reel in transition. Edwards could conceivably be traded, which would allow Golden State to collect another asset while also selecting a player (perhaps either Obi Toppin or Deni Avdija) who fits better with the Warriors’ core.

With a pair of picks in the second round, Kalbrosky projects the Warriors to grab Michigan State point guard Cassius Winston and Syracuse wing Elijah Hughes.

If Edwards does stick with the Warriors, the explosive 6-foot-5 18-year-old would immediately provide a boost to Steve Kerr’s offense. The Atlanta native can create with the basketball in his hands while being a threat to let it fly from beyond the arc.

With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the perimeter, Edwards will have the opportunity to attack the basket downhill early and often in his career. When the Splash Brothers are off the floor, the Bulldog product would get the chance to play a key figure in the Warriors’ young offense alongside Eric Paschall and Marquese Chriss.

Although it’s still early in the pre-draft process, Edwards is becoming the drafts leading candidate to help Golden State’s climb back into the playoffs in the 2020-21 season.

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2020 NBA mock draft: Obi Toppin, LaMelo Ball offer intrigue

Rookie Wire breaks down the film and crunches all the relevant statistics to predict all 60 picks of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Like much of the world right now, the 2020 NBA Draft is full of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The cancellation of the NCAA Tournament changes the evaluation process and denies NBA teams the opportunity to see how players react to the pressure of performing on college basketball’s biggest stage. Nevertheless, scouts and front offices are doing their homework on this year’s top prospects.

As of now, the draft remains scheduled for June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, the event could be pushed back in reaction to the pandemic.

Meantime, our two-round mock draft accounts for potential fit for every team that currently owns picks. Some teams, such as the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics, have enough picks to trade up or turn them into higher picks for future years. Others, such as the Golden State Warriors, may want to trade down to select a player based on roster fit.

That said, we made our selections without trying to predict trades.

A few quick notes: Some notable freshmen (such as Florida’s Scottie Lewis, Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Duke’s Wendell Moore and Matthew Hurt) have been omitted because Rookie Wire expects them to return to school.

Similarly, top juniors (such as San Diego State’s Malachi Flynn, Iowa’s Luka Garza, Georgetown’s Omer Yurtseven) were excluded because we expect them to return for their senior year.

Generally speaking, players who have already declared for the draft or are testing the waters were given priority over prospects who we may rate a bit higher but have not officially put the name into the draft pool.

Draft order is based on NBA standings when the league went on hiatus.

1. Golden State Warriors: Anthony Edwards, Georgia

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Wing, 6-foot-5, 18 years old

The Warriors, obviously, have little need for a player who needs the ball in his hands as often as Anthony Edwards does. But the SEC Freshman of the Year arguably has the most star power of anyone in this draft class. Edwards averaged a strong 21.8 points per game in February and is a highlight-reel in transition. Edwards could conceivably be traded, which would allow Golden State to collect another asset while also selecting a player (perhaps either Obi Toppin or Deni Avdija) who fits better with the Warriors’ core.

Second pick | Third pick | Fourth pick | Fifth pick | Remainder of lottery | Remainder of first round | Second round

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Warriors land Georgia’s Anthony Edwards in Sports Illustrated NBA mock draft

With no games on the NBA calendar, it’s officially mock draft season.

In 2020, mock drafts will start to peak the interest of Golden State Warriors’ fans everywhere. For the first time in years, instead of seeing the Warriors listed in the back end of the draft order, Golden State is slated to make a selection at the top of the lottery.

With no basketball on the NBA calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s officially mock draft season.

In Sports Illustrated’s latest mock draft, Jeremy Woo projects the Warriors to select Georgia’s Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick. In his freshman season in Athens, the young combo guard averaged 19.1 points on 40.2% shooting from the field, while adding 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

The SEC Freshman of the Year can create with the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to let it fly from 3-point range. When Edwards begins to attack downhill, he’s as explosive as it gets off the bounce. The Atlanta native would provide a dangerous threat off the bench for Golden State behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

With a pair of second-round picks, Woo selected DePaul’s Paul Reed and Italian guard Paul Eboua to finish off the 2020 draft for the Warriors.

Reed is a 6-foot-9 center that averaged a double-double with 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in his junior season for the Blue Demons. In LBA Serie A in Italy, the 20-year old Eboua tallied 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Victoria Libertas Pesaro.

With the NBA draft starting to creep up, expect the mock drafts to keep flowing.

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Report: Warriors ‘would likely take’ Anthony Edwards with top pick in NBA Draft

According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Warriors are eyeing Anthony Edwards with the top pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors will be drafting near the top of the NBA draft. While the lottery doesn’t take place till May 19, the Warriors 15-50 record gives them a chance to land the first overall pick in the draft.

Although the draft is still ways away, names are already starting to circulate as options for when Golden State hits the clock. There isn’t a clear consensus top prospect in the 2020 class, but certain names are starting to look like favorable options to jump off the board first.

According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards is turning into a likely option if the Warriors land the first pick in June’s draft.

Via the San Francisco Chronicle:

If the Warriors land the No. 1 pick in the draft, they’ll be open to trading it. But if Golden State doesn’t receive a worthy offer, it would likely take Edwards with the top selection, according to a league source.

During his only season in Athens, Edwards averaged 19.1 points on 40.2% shooting from the field, with 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The young Bulldog is an explosive combo guard that can create his own shot like a seasoned veteran. Edwards has a quick trigger from beyond the arc that would fit right in with Steve Kerr’s offense.

If Edwards ends up being the pick, Golden State’s bench would immediately get an upgrade with a downhill weapon behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

With the NBA season on hold due to the coronavirus, the draft buzz will continue to swirl leading up to June.

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Report: Warriors ‘aren’t believed to be high’ on LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman

Where do LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman fall on the Golden State Warriors 2020 draft board?

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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Narrowing down 8 NBA draft prospects the Warriors could be ‘zeroing in on’

Steve Kerr said the Warriors are focusing on “seven or eight” top prospects for the 2020 NBA draft.

With the NBA season on hold, the Golden State Warriors are turning their attention to the summer. For the first time in years, the Warriors look destined to own a top pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

In a San Francisco radio interview on Thursday, Steve Kerr said that Bob Myers gave him “about seven or eight” prospects the Warriors are “zeroing in on” for June’s draft.

Via KNBR 680:

Bob and his staff kind of gave me about seven or eight college guys that we’re zeroing in on for the draft. So, I’ve been doing that for them and then also for, for some of the free agents.

While the 2020 draft doesn’t have a headlining name like Zion Williamson, there’s a bevy of intriguing options at the top of the lottery. With no clear consensus number one prospect, the Warriors will be challenged with finding the right fit for their run back to the playoffs.

With the draft three months away, Warriors Wire examined the 2020 draft class to find the potential top eight prospects that fit in Golden State.

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