Golden State Warriors 2020 NBA Draft: Select or Swap the Second Pick?
After what felt like the longest NBA season on record that ended, the league is undergoing a quick turnaround as it turns the page towards the 2020-2021 season. With the trade window open and underway beginning on Monday, the 2020 NBA Draft will commence Wednesday night, and the Golden State Warriors will be one of the influential teams to watch as they hold the second overall pick.
While other lottery teams select prospects with the future in mind, Golden State is eyeing a return to the NBA Finals. A healthy Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green catapult Golden State back into contention as contenders, and draft night gives the franchise their first opportunity to significantly shape the roster for the season ahead.
The question remains as to which scenario favors them best: select a top prospect or swap the second overall pick?
Use the pick
There are three consensus names that have been in consideration to be drafted first overall: Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, and LaMelo Ball. The Minnesota Timberwolves will ultimately shape the draft as they make the first selection, and there is a likelihood that any of the three aforementioned names could be available when the Warriors are on the clock. The front office could have their eyes on the future of the franchise in making their decision, and they have the option of selecting a potential cornerstone once the Steph, Klay, and Draymond era concludes.
The question is which of these prospects best fit alongside the current Warriors core, while also boasting future potential? Anthony Edwards makes sense with his position in mind: an athletic prospect at the growing essential wing position. James Wiseman, who noted that he’s only worked out for the Warriors and Hornets, could give Golden State an athletic big man and rim protector. In LaMelo Ball, the NBA draft’s biggest enigma, the Warriors could select a dynamic point guard with a superstar ceiling.
All three boast potential and all three come with questions, but it comes down to Bob Myers and company looking to nail the pick to the best of their ability. Of those three prospects, Ball or Wiseman could be the better choices. Wiseman could potentially give Golden State the chance to provide in the immediate short-term as a running big man and rim protector on the defensive end. In Ball, a talented (but inefficient scorer) and a stellar passer (albeit with heavy turnover numbers) the Warriors could get another ball-handler that can initiate the offense aside from Steph.
LaMelo Ball would be an intriguing selection and a somewhat bold move by Golden State, who would bet on their culture and system helping Ball mature and commit on defense. But Wiseman could be the obvious choice, and in viewing the POV of Bob Myers, I say the Warriors select Wiseman with the belief that his presence at the rim could give them a young prospect that can provide some impact immediately.
Trade the pick
There is a real possibility that Golden State could select the prospect they most favor while also packaging away the second overall pick. Deni Avdija has been climbing the draft boards as a stretch four, and other prospects like Onyeka Okongwu or Obi Toppin could be worth a look as well. If the Warriors are eyeing any other prospects that will surely not be taken in the top three, they could package the second pick and trade down in the draft, while getting assets in return.
What would a potential package look like? Ideally, they’d want to still be able to select a prospect to develop for the future, but perhaps more vital in the short term, find instant ready players that could make the roster better immediately. Aside from the second pick and their $17.2 mil TPE, Golden State also has Minnesota’s top-three protected 2021 first-round pick.
Two potential trade partners could be the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers. Golden State could build a package around Andrew Wiggins, the number two pick, and the Wolves’ 2021 first rounder in exchange for Atlanta’s sixth pick in the draft plus Clint Capela. In this scenario, the Warriors get an experienced veteran in Capela that would give them size upfront, while also moving down to sixth in the draft to get a prospect they want to develop in the future.
If Bob Myers is eyeing more veteran help and is content without moving down in the draft, a package with Wiggins, the number two pick, and Minnesota’s 2021 first rounder in exchange for Myles Turner and TJ Warren from the Pacers would instantly make the Warriors better, swapping Wiggins for two playoffs experienced players that help serve Golden State’s goal of competing for a title immediately. The caveat here is losing out on the ability to select a prospect in this year’s draft, but that would have to be a concession that the front office is willing to make.
Whether they hold onto the pick, trade down, or trade away the pick entirely, Wednesday night’s outcome will be among the first signs of Golden State’s plans this offseason. Whether they call one of the top prospect’s names on draft night or work the phones in bringing in veteran pieces, all eyes will be on the Warriors when they are on the clock at number two.