Ranking Warriors' seven best options with No. 2 draft pick
James Ham ranks seven draft prospects based on potential and fit for the Warriors.
The NBA is scrambling to come to an agreement on a new season that could potentially start as early as Dec. 22. That sets up a mad dash by all 30 teams to get through the draft process, free agency and then start training camp in the next 3-4 weeks.
After months of tracking and studying draft prospects, there are a lot of different ways the Warriors can go with the No. 2 overall pick. There is still a possibility Golden State could trade the selection for a veteran player that can help now, but if they stick around, it’s a wide-open field.
Here is how I would rank seven potential prospects based on potential and fit for the Warriors. Missing from the list are point guards LaMelo Ball and Killian Hayes. For multiple reasons, neither seem like a good fit for the Warriors at this time, although anything is possible.
Measurables: 6-foot-9, 245 pounds Age: 19
Wiseman has the highest ceiling out of all of the center prospects. Toppin will likely be the best scorer of the lot. Okongwu is safer than both of these players.
At the NBA level, he can be a defensive anchor and low post threat. He’s developing his perimeter game and there is some hope that he can act as a distributor, which is why he’s drawn comparisons to the Heat’s Bam Adebajo. Like Okoro, Okongwu has a lot of intangibles that show up in the win/loss column. If the Warriors are interested, they could likely move down a few picks and collect additional assets.
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 225 pounds Age: 19
Edwards is a tremendous talent, but there are questions about how he fits with the Warriors style of play. He’s a ball dominant player with an incredibly high ceiling as a scorer, although his shot selection needs some work.
He also has solid defensive potential, although there are concerns about overall focus on this side of the ball. Edwards could be the top overall selection and if he falls to No. 2, Golden State would have to think long and hard about selecting him just on potential alone. He’s a highlight reel player that compares to players like Zach LaVine and Jason Richardson. He’ll score in bunches, but the biggest question is whether Edward’s production impacts the win/loss column.
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 175 pounds Age: 20
The Warriors have been tied to Haliburton for a while. He’s another high IQ player with major versatility and the ability to play both guard positions. There are very few players in this year’s draft that can stuff a stat sheet like the Iowa State prospect and he’s one of the best interviews in the draft as well.
Haliburton is a flashy passer and while he has a unique delivery on his shot, he has no problem hitting from all over the court. The 20-year-old guard compares favorably to C.J. McCollum and George Hill. He’s also slated to go a little deeper in the draft than No. 2 overall, so there is potential for the Warriors to move down slightly, pick up an additional asset and potentially save some guaranteed money.
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 225 pounds Age: 19
Okoro is one of those players whose impact goes well beyond the numbers. He can defend three and possibly four positions at the NBA level and has potential to be a lockdown defender. On the offensive side of the ball, Okoro will need time to develop. He’s strong going to the basket, but needs work on his perimeter shot. Okoro brings intangibles to the court that compare to Andre Iguodala.
He likely won’t be an elite scorer, but he is a player that should be able to help win games. Okoro might be a reach at No. 2, but this is an open field. If the Warriors can slide down 2-3 picks and pick up a veteran player as well, that would make a lot of sense.
Measurables: 6-foot-9, 215 pounds Age: 19
Word on the street is that the Warriors are very interested in Avdija. He’s a toolsey combo forward that would open up plenty of rotational options for Steve Kerr.
This is a high basketball IQ player with great court vision and some defensive potential. His shooting stroke is a work in progress, but his form is solid and NBA teams don’t seem concerned. He’s drawn comparisons to the Celtics’ Gordon Hayward and Charlotte’s Nic Batum. He has a little Toni Kukoc to his game as well.
Measurables: 6-foot-9, 220 pounds Age: 22
Toppin is one of the most dynamic players in this year’s draft. He’s a four/five combo that can shoot from long range, get out and run on the break and thrives as a big in the two-man game. He’s not a great defender, but this is a player that would instantly add a new element to the Warriors offensive attack.
Toppin is also an older prospect that should be able to step on the court and play meaningful minutes early in his career. Toppin’s aggressive approach and ability to finish well above the rim have drawn comparisons to Amar’e Stoudemire. That may be a little high of a ceiling, but he would fit perfectly with the Warriors current roster.
Measurables: 7-foot-1, 235 pounds Age: 19
Small ball is all the rage in the NBA, but three of the final four Conference Finals teams had an elite big man. Wiseman is raw, but incredibly talented. He fits the Warriors’ biggest position of need and his potential is through the roof. In his first year or two, Wiseman can be a defensive anchor and a rim runner.
Two or three years down the road, there is a possibility that he becomes so much more. Golden State has to have their eyes on the present, but they also need to draft the best player available for the future of the franchise. Wiseman has drawn comparisons to Hassan Whiteside and DeAndre Jordan. He can be better than both of those players in the right setting.
