Tag: Warriors Draft

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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Warriors are ‘zeroing in on’ at least 7 prospects for the 2020 NBA Draft

With the NBA draft approaching, the Warriors are locking in on a group of prospects.

In years past, the Golden State Warriors have spent the month of March preparing for the playoffs. With the worst record in the league in the 2019-20 season and only 17 games left on the calendar, the Warriors are turning their attention to the draft.

While the NBA season is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the days are still ticking down till June’s upcoming draft. With no opponents scheduled on the calendar, the Warriors are using their time away from game action to study for the upcoming draft class.

Golden State is in line for a top pick in June’s draft, and according to Steve Kerr, the Warriors have narrowed their search to “seven or eight” prospects.

On Thursday, Kerr joined Tom Tolbert, Rod Brooks and Larry Krueger on KNBR 680 in San Francisco. Golden State’s head coach shared some insight into the Warriors’ draft prep.

Via KNBR:

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 class is filled with intriguing players, there’s not a consensus top overall prospect like years of the past that included Zion Williamson.

Onyeka Okongwu, Deni Avdija and Issac Okoro have tremendous raw potential that could help Golden State in the future. However, with the Warriors eyeing a return at the playoffs, they could opt for a top-billed prospect like Obi Toppin, James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball.

With the NBA not scheduled to return until further notice, the Warriors will have plenty of time to find the player that fits their plan.

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Obi Toppin’s parents say he wants to play for the Golden State Warriors

Obi Toppin’s parents revealed what team their son wants to play for in the NBA.

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors are expected to own a top pick in the NBA draft. Instead of focusing on a run to the NBA Finals, the Warriors are locking in on the top prospects available in the upcoming draft class.

Since the start of the season, players like Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and Deni Avdija have headlined mock drafts. However, with the college basketball season over, Dayton’s Obi Toppin has been linked to the Golden State Warriors.

Toppin’s parents joined Sonya and Dell Curry’s podcast “Raising Fame,” and the connection between the Flyer and Golden State grew. Toppin’s parents were asked what team their son hopes to play for in the NBA. Roni Toppin quickly answered, “Golden State — let’s go to the Bay.”

Toppin’s father, Obadiah, agreed with his son’s choice.

I got my few point guards that I always dreamed of playing for — just because they were the truest point guards — like Steph Curry. I think Obi would be great playing with Steph Curry.

After averaging 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal per game for the Flyers, Toppin was recently named the 2020 AP National Player of the Year.

The Brooklyn native’s ability to run the floor with unparalleled athleticism would immediately give Draymond Green and Curry another lob threat alongside Marquese Chriss.

With the NBA season on hold due to the coronavirus, Golden State’s front office will have extra time to catch up on their draft homework.

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Former Warriors’ big man Andrew Bogut breaks down LaMelo Ball’s game

In a recent interview, former Warriors’ center Andrew Bogut offered a scouting report on LaMelo Ball.

With the college basketball season over due to the coronavirus, the NBA has turned attention to the upcoming draft. Anthony Edwards, Onyeka Okongwu and Obi Toppin are currently billed as top prospects from the college level.

Yet, there is a steady crop of prospects coming from outside of the NCAA’s realm. Names like Killian Hayes, Deni Avdija and RJ Hampton will be popular when the draft rolls around in June.

Another name ready to make the jump to the NBA is LaMelo Ball. The youngest Ball brother spent the past season playing for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s National Basketball League.

In the NBL, Ball and the Hawks faced off against the Golden State Warriors’ former center Andrew Bogut.

With the Warriors slated to own a top pick in the 2020 draft, Bogut offered up a scouting report on Ball in an interview with Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto and Matt Kolsky on San Francisco’s 95.7 The Game.

I saw a little bit of him. He played really well against us one game. He has a great ability to get into the paint from the guard position — can handle the ball very, very well and I think his passing and playmaking is at an elite level already. Obviously, his jump shot — which has been talked about a lot — will determine on how well he goes in his career. I think it’s very inconsistent from three, and it’s kind of a herky-jerky shot that he’ll probably have to fix much like his brother has. His brother is shooting the ball very, very well with New Orleans this season. I think his playmaking and the way he runs a team for a guy that young really stood out for me. The defense has to improve, but I think that’ll change with coaching and development in a good NBA program. But he’s looking at a chance to be a No. 1 pick or a top-five, top-ten pick. It’s great for our league to know that he came over here and played and we hope he does very, very well in the NBA.

In one game against Bogut and the Sydney Kings, Ball tallied 16 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the field in 27 minutes. The Chino Hills product added six assists and six rebounds for the Hawks. Bogut recorded five points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes for the Kings.

With Golden State’s need for a scoring option behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Ball could be an intriguing option at the top of the draft for the Warriors.

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Potential Warriors top prospect target declares for the 2020 NBA Draft

Top-prospect Anthony Edwards has officially declared for the 2020 NBA draft.

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors are in line to hold a top-pick in the NBA draft. With no March Madness tournament and the college basketball season over due to the coronavirus pandemic, prospects are starting to declare for the NBA draft.

Star freshman Anthony Edwards has officially entered his name into the 2020 draft. In his first season of college basketball, the potential first overall pick averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 32 games for the Bulldogs.

The 18-year-old guard shot 40.2 % from the field and 29.4 % from beyond the arc during his first season in the SEC. Edwards racked up three games of 30 or more points for the Bulldogs, with his career-high of 37 coming against the highly ranked Michigan State Spartans in the Maui Invitational Tournament.

The freshman is a streaky shooter, drilling six and seven 3-pointers in single games this season, but he did finish the final 10 games of his college career, only shooting 21.9% from long distance.

The Atlanta native is valued for his playmaking skills, whether he’s slashing downhill to the basket or trying to open up the floor for his teammates. The young combo guard was the focal point in Athens, yet he only recorded over five assists once in his career. At the next level, his passing numbers could rise. Still, the freshman’s explosive nature will quickly catch the attention of the NBA.

At 6-foot-5 225 lbs and only 18-years-old, Edwards would give Steve Kerr a piece of clay to mold into the Warriors core. Whether he’s riding next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the backcourt or leading the offensive attack for Golden State’s bench unit, Edwards is an exciting name to watch leading up to June.

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NBA Draft: USC freshman Onyeka Okongwu is a name to watch for the Warriors

USC freshman Onyeka Okongwu is a name to know for the Golden State Warriors.

Instead of preparing for a deep playoff run, the Golden State Warriors are lining up for a top pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

With the NBA schedule on pause and the college basketball season over due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Warriors’ front office, it’s time for Steve Kerr and Bob Myers to turn their attention to the upcoming draft class.

While James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards might lead many mock drafts, the 2020 prospect pool has a bit of mystery to it. With there being no consensus top pick, Golden State scouts in the front office will need to do their homework.

A prospect that is quickly rising up draft boards is USC big man Onyeka Okongwu. The 6-foot-9 freshman was a teammate of the Ball brothers at Chino Hills high school and is now making a name for himself at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

Could Onyeka fit with Golden State at the top of the draft? Warriors Wire looked at how the Trojan freshman could fit in the Bay Area.

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Watch: Steph Curry threads no-look highlight reel pass with left hand

In his first game back from injury, Steph Curry drops highlight-reel dime with his surgically repaired left hand.

It has been 58 games since Stephen Curry suited up in his No. 30 Golden State Warriors uniform. Finally, Thursday night against the Toronto Raptors, that changed.

In Curry’s return to Golden State’s lineup for the first time in four months, all eyes were on his left hand. Since getting injured in late October against the Phoenix Suns, Curry’s hand has gone through two surgeries and a tedious rehab.

Outside of scrimmaging in practice, Curry’s hand has gone through a limited amount of full-contact situations. The two-time Most Valuable Player’s hand was bound to get tested against the Raptors.

The six-time All-Star didn’t waste any time using his surgically repaired hand. Curry whipped a behind the back no-look pass to Andrew Wiggins underneath the basket for an easy layup.

Via @Warriors:

Curry still has a long way to go as he works back from injury over the remaining 20 games on the schedule. Still, his highlight reel pass with his left hand is a positive sign for the future.

Updated Warriors future draft picks following the NBA trade deadline

After trading six players at the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors have a new crop of draft picks.

The Golden State Warriors were active leading up to the NBA trade deadline with eyes set towards the future. Bob Myers, Kirk Lacob and Steve Kerr moved six players before the 2020 deadline triggering a complete makeover of Golen State’s roster.

Andrew Wiggins was the only player acquired by the Warriors with the rest of their compensation impacting draft season. Before the deadline ended, Golden State stacked six future picks in the NBA draft.

Below is an updated look at the Golden State’s draft picks for the next three seasons, according to RealGM.com.

2020:

-Golden State Warriors own first-round pick (protected top-20)

-Dallas Mavericks second-round pick

-Utah Jazz second-round pick

2021:

-Golden State Warriors own first-round pick

-Minnesota Timberwolves first-round pick (protected top-3)

-Denver Nuggets second-round pick

-Minnesota Timberwolves second-round pick

2022:

-Golden State Warriors own first-round pick

-Golden State Warriors own second-round pick

-Toronto Raptors second-round pick

The Warriors are now without Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III, D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans III and Omari Spellman. However, the team now has a better outlook when it comes to the future.

Prior to the 2019-20 season, the Golden State Warriors had limited draft capital and several expensive contracts on the books. Adding young talent on rookie deals around Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green is a path to preserving Golden State’s chances of remaining in title contention for the future.