Five draft prospects Warriors should watch in March Madness

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Fill out your brackets, empty you wallets and waste your stimulus check. March Madness is back.As the Warriors continue their up-and-down season, America's favorite sports tournament can give Golden State's front office a good excuse to turn its attention to the 2021 NBA Draft. The question is, who should Bob Myers be watching right now?That's not an easy question, especially with the unknown of the Minnesota Timberwolves' top pick. If the T-Wolves' first-round pick falls outside of the top three, it's conveyed to the Warriors. But Minnesota has the worst record in the NBA entering the NCAA Tournament.Below are four players the Warriors should eye if they keep their own top-20 protected pick, plus one prize prospect should they get the T-Wolves' pick. This should be fun.

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<p>Kispert is the best pure shooter in the country, a skill every NBA team is searching for right now. That, of course, is especially true for the Warriors. </p>

<p>The 6-foot-7 senior would be a win-now pick for the Warriors one year after taking 19-year-old James Wiseman. Kispert averaged 19.2 points per game this season for Gonzaga while shooting 44.4 percent from 3 on 6.2 attempts per game. He might not be an elite athlete but he is an elite shooter and playmaker who should help a team on Day 1. </p>

<p>It's easy to see a team fall in love with Kispert and take him in the top 10. But his age (22 years old) could play against him and work in the Warriors' favor. They would be more than happy if he fell in their lap.</p>

Kispert is the best pure shooter in the country, a skill every NBA team is searching for right now. That, of course, is especially true for the Warriors. 

The 6-foot-7 senior would be a win-now pick for the Warriors one year after taking 19-year-old James Wiseman. Kispert averaged 19.2 points per game this season for Gonzaga while shooting 44.4 percent from 3 on 6.2 attempts per game. He might not be an elite athlete but he is an elite shooter and playmaker who should help a team on Day 1. 

It's easy to see a team fall in love with Kispert and take him in the top 10. But his age (22 years old) could play against him and work in the Warriors' favor. They would be more than happy if he fell in their lap.

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<p>Barnes could be the next Seminoles draft darling after Patrick Williams and Devin Vassell last year. Florida State is starting to become a draft powerhouse, and there's a lot to like in Barnes. </p>

<p>The 6-foot-9 19-year-old wing was one of the top recruits in the nation before becoming the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year this season. Barnes isn't a great shooter right now --- he's shooting just 29.7 percent from deep -- but he's still scoring 11.0 points per game in under 25 minutes and is a very good playmaker. He leads Florida State in assists at 4.2 per game and is considered a strong athlete. </p>

<p>While Barnes wouldn't be an instant scorer for the Warriors, it's easy to see him finding a role in the rotation. </p>

Barnes could be the next Seminoles draft darling after Patrick Williams and Devin Vassell last year. Florida State is starting to become a draft powerhouse, and there's a lot to like in Barnes. 

The 6-foot-9 19-year-old wing was one of the top recruits in the nation before becoming the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year this season. Barnes isn't a great shooter right now --- he's shooting just 29.7 percent from deep -- but he's still scoring 11.0 points per game in under 25 minutes and is a very good playmaker. He leads Florida State in assists at 4.2 per game and is considered a strong athlete. 

While Barnes wouldn't be an instant scorer for the Warriors, it's easy to see him finding a role in the rotation. 

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<p>Bouknight is a 6-foot-5 sophomore who is streaky from the floor but could catch fire. If he gets hot, UConn could be a dangerous team. But if he's cold, it's a different story.</p>

<p>The sophomore is averaging 19.0 points per game, though his efficiency has gone down this season as his shots went up. He has scored at least 20 points in seven of his 14 games played so far, including a 40-point outburst against Creighton. Bouknight has a NBA future, and could be a spark-plug scorer at the next level.</p>

Bouknight is a 6-foot-5 sophomore who is streaky from the floor but could catch fire. If he gets hot, UConn could be a dangerous team. But if he's cold, it's a different story.

The sophomore is averaging 19.0 points per game, though his efficiency has gone down this season as his shots went up. He has scored at least 20 points in seven of his 14 games played so far, including a 40-point outburst against Creighton. Bouknight has a NBA future, and could be a spark-plug scorer at the next level.

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<p>Steve Kerr made it clear the Warriors went hard after Nicolas Batum this offseason, and Wagner has been compared to the 13-year NBA veteran. The 6-foot-9 German plays a very smart game and should help a team in The Association on a nightly basis. </p>

<p>As a sophomore, Wagner is averaging 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 38.4 percent from deep. He also comes into March Madness second in defensive box plus/minus. It's easy to see Wagner operating in Kerr's offense and using his length to be a positive on defense.</p>

Steve Kerr made it clear the Warriors went hard after Nicolas Batum this offseason, and Wagner has been compared to the 13-year NBA veteran. The 6-foot-9 German plays a very smart game and should help a team in The Association on a nightly basis. 

As a sophomore, Wagner is averaging 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 38.4 percent from deep. He also comes into March Madness second in defensive box plus/minus. It's easy to see Wagner operating in Kerr's offense and using his length to be a positive on defense.

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<p>This is the prize prospect if the Timberwolves' pick falls outside of the top three and is handed to the Warriors. Suggs is interchangeable at either guard position, can run an offense and fits in any lineup. He also is a strong defensive presence at 6-foot-4. </p>

<p>The game comes easy to Suggs. He did it all for Gonzaga as a freshman, averaging 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Suggs shot 35.4 percent from 3 and 51.2 percent overall from the field, never forcing shots while letting the game come to him.</p>

<p>Bob Myers and Co. have to have their fingers crossed the balls bounce their way and Suggs could be available when the Warriors are on the clock.</p>

This is the prize prospect if the Timberwolves' pick falls outside of the top three and is handed to the Warriors. Suggs is interchangeable at either guard position, can run an offense and fits in any lineup. He also is a strong defensive presence at 6-foot-4. 

The game comes easy to Suggs. He did it all for Gonzaga as a freshman, averaging 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Suggs shot 35.4 percent from 3 and 51.2 percent overall from the field, never forcing shots while letting the game come to him.

Bob Myers and Co. have to have their fingers crossed the balls bounce their way and Suggs could be available when the Warriors are on the clock.

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