Ranking Warriors' five best lottery picks since 1989
Ahead of the Warriors picking at No. 2 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Monte Poole looks back at the five best lottery picks in franchise history.
The Draft Lottery is the NBA’s biggest minefield. A smart or lucky gamble can lay a winning foundation that lasts a decade or more. An errant choice can result in damage that requires years to overcome.
The Warriors’ familiarity with the lottery, with 16 visits in the last 30 drafts, leaves them all too aware of the hits and the misses. After a seven-year absence, they’re back in 2020 for another try – assuming they don’t trade the No. 2 overall pick.
Here’s a countdown of their five best lottery discoveries:
The natural power forward lasted only two seasons, with 163 starts in 230 games, but quickly fell victim to the subjective ways of coach Don Nelson, who tended to relentlessly disparage one or two players on every roster. The 6-foot-9 Xavier product averaged 7.4 points (50.9 percent FG, 65.3 percent FT).
Traded to Cleveland for a 1994 draft pick that became Clifford Rozier, Hill flourished in new surroundings, with four top-20 rebounding seasons, two top-20 true-shooting seasons, two top-20 defensive-rating seasons and an NBA All-Star Game appearance in 1995. He was, at his peak, one of the six best power forwards in the league.
Best player taken later: Antonio Davis (No. 45 overall), 2001 NBA All-Star.
The Warriors, picking at No. 5, wanted Jamison, a 6-foot-8 power forward. The Raptors, picking at No. 4, wanted Carter, a 6-foot-5 wing, but threatened to take Jamison.
The Warriors caved and made a deal. Toronto took Jamison, to send to the Warriors. Golden State took Carter, to send (along with $300,000) for Jamison.
Each franchise got its North Carolina product, but one also got a nice check.
Though Carter quickly became a marquee player and eventual Hall of Famer, Jamison was a solid player who did many things satisfactorily but nothing spectacularly. Becoming a starter in his second season, he averaged 20.2 points (45.4 percent FG) and 7.5 rebounds over his five seasons as a Warrior. He became a two-time All-Star with the Wizards.
Best players taken later: Dirk Nowitzki (No. 9) and Paul Pierce (No. 10), future Hall of Famers.
The Warriors had the No. 3 pick and wanted Webber. The Magic had the No. 1 pick and wanted Hardaway, largely because that was Shaquille O’Neal’s preference – even though Webber was considered the top talent. The Warriors offered future draft picks as part of a pick swap, and Orlando took it.
At 6-foot-9, with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and a full set of skills, Webber was the big man Nelson always wanted – only to immediately disparage him. One had to go. Owner Chris Cohan chose Nelson and traded Michigan product, who had averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 3.6 assists while being named Rookie of the Year. The decision wrecked the franchise for years, as Webber became a five-time NBA All-Star and nine-time postseason participant.
Best player taken later: Vin Baker (No. 8), four-time NBA All-Star.
A new front office realized a backcourt featuring Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis had severe defensive limitations. Jerry West, an adviser and legendary talent evaluator, identified Washington State wing Thompson as the ideal shooting guard to pair with Curry. The logo nailed it.
At 6-foot-6, Thompson had the buttery jump shot tailored for deep shooting and the length to guard multiple positions. The Warriors traded Ellis at midseason and moved Thompson into the starting lineup, where he became a fixture. Over eight seasons, he averaged 19.5 points (45.9 percent FG, 41.9 3P), defended the opponent’s best perimeter player and been named to five NBA All-Star games.
Best players taken later: Kawhi Leonard (No. 15), four-time NBA All-Star. Jimmy Butler (No. 30), five-time NBA All-Star.
There was some debate within the front office over whom to select. Some wanted to go big, maybe go with Jordan Hill. Nelson saw Curry as a 2.0 version of two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. Larry Riley, officially the GM but clearly deferential to Nelson, eventually agreed.
Four guards, all capable of running the point, were selected before Curry. None has matched his impact on his team or the game of basketball. Curry altered the course of a foundering franchise, won an NBA scoring title, two NBA MVP awards and was the centerpiece of three NBA championship teams. Nelson’s gift to the franchise with which he had a love-hate relationship was seismic.
Best player taken later: DeMar DeRozan (No. 9), four-time NBA All-Star.
