Draft Outlook
The Warriors are trying to determine their identity. This may seem strange for a team featuring former two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry and mainstays Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. But those dynasty holdovers are by far the best players on the team. Everywhere else, the Warriors’ support overall is good … but just not good enough to get Golden State to the playoffs — with all due respect to Andrew Wiggins. It’s reasonable to suggest the Warriors are one piece away from being a very real threat in the NBA again. They can stay put and hope James Wiseman takes a big leap and go forth as constituted, or package Wiseman and/or Wiggins and one of their two first-round picks for more immediate help.
A Stat That Matters
11.6 — The Warriors were outscored by 7.3 points per 100 possessions in 423 minutes with Curry, Green and Wiseman on the floor together, but outscored their opponents by 11.6 per 100 in 1,314 minutes with Curry and Green on the floor without Wiseman.
The Way To Go
Blessed with the seventh and 14th picks — thank you, Timberwolves — the Warriors are in position to pad their roster with young talent, or trade one or both for veteran help. It’s a good option to have for a team that fancies itself as a title threat. Davion Mitchell showed solid two-way potential at guard while leading Baylor to the NCAA title, helping beat Gonzaga and sharpshooting forward Corey Kispert along the way. Either or both of those two players would fill needs and be solid additions for those two spots.
Under Contract
G: Stephen Curry
G: Gary Payton II
G: Klay Thompson
G: Damion Lee
G: Mychal Mulder
G: Jordan Poole
F: Draymond Green
F: Eric Paschal
F: Alen Smailagic
F: Juan Toscano-Anderson
F: Andrew Wiggins
C: James Wiseman
Free Agents
G: Nico Mannion (restricted)
G/F: Kent Bazemore (unrestricted)
G/F: Kelly Oubre Jr. (unrestricted)
F: Kevon Looney (player option)
F: Jordan Bell (unrestricted)
> 2021 Free Agent Tracker
Last Year’s Draft
2020: James Wiseman (2), Nico Mannion (48), Justinian Jessup (51).
— by Shaun Powell