It was reported immediately after acquiring the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft that the Golden State Warriors were looking to flip said selection for a proven player.
This makes sense to an extent in that Golden State is not in the same position as other teams selecting at the top of the lottery.
Despite boasting a 15-50 record this past season, head coach Steve Kerr and Co. have to be seen as top-flight contenders in the Western Conference heading into the 2020-21 campaign. Said record was dictated by the fact that three-time NBA champs Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson played a combined five games.
Although, we’re now hearing different rumors on the Warriors’ front heading into a draft that’s expected to be delayed for a second time this year.
“The Warriors will listen to pitches for the No. 2 pick, but league sources indicate they are prepared to select a player no matter what the Timberwolves do at No. 1,” Wes Goldberg of The Mercury News reported this week.
There’s certainly a lot to look at here. Golden State will likely be able to choose from former Memphis center James Wiseman and either guard Anthony Edwards or fellow back-court star LaMelo Ball with the second pick.
In particular, Wiseman should be available. Selecting No. 1 overall, the Minnesota Timberwolves have no need for a big man with All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns acting the part of the face of the franchise.
Wiseman would make sense in that Golden State needs another big to go with Marquese Chriss and former All-Star Draymond Green, the latter of whom regressed this past season and could be trade bait during the fall.
For general manager Bob Myers and Co., it’s all about finding a player who can contribute immediately while looking forward to the post Curry and Thompson years. While both are still in their prime, boasting the No. 2 pick is a way for Golden State to plan for a life without the two future Hall of Fame guards.
All of this could very well be PR spin. Golden State is not in a position where it has to draft a player at No. 2. Remember, the team acquired Minnesota’s unprotected first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft in deal that shipped D’Angelo Russell to the Twin Cities for Andrew Wiggins.
There’s also another aspect to look at here.
It’s not a zero-sum game for the Warriors. Adding a player with the second pick would not result in the five-time defending Western Conference champions missing out on another star to team up with Curry and Thompson.
This could all be part of a long-term plan in an attempt to pry reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warriors have been linked to him on a never-ending loop over the past calendar year-plus.
That might be an unlikely scenario, but it will play a role in the decision-making process in San Francisco when the 2020 NBA Draft finally comes calling.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!