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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