A significant step towards the Golden State Warriors’ path back to title contention began with tonight’s 2021 NBA Draft. Armed with both the seventh and 14th picks in this year’s draft, Golden State had the ability to alter the roster both immediately and with the future in mind. Yet if you were to weigh whether winning now or investing in the future is more crucial, the former would be the resounding answer.

With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green welcoming back Klay Thompson this coming season, the standards have been raised for this roster. A playoff berth, much less a play-in tournament appearance will not suffice as being a “success.” Curry, Thompson, and Green want to get back to competing for a championship, and that is the only measure of success so long as the three of them share the court together.

For Golden State, plan A would be exchanging those two picks in a deal to bring back a veteran player ready to contribute for a contender. If those odds look bleak, then Plan B would be to draft the two best prospects that can be ready to contribute valuable minutes off the bench by the end of the season. Regardless, both paths have to lead to the ultimate goal of winning a championship.

Leading up to the week of the draft, the latest chatter was that Golden State would be all in on a trade for Bradley Beal and no one else. This proved accurate given reports that the Warriors shot down the steep asking price for Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons: Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, and four first-round picks in return. With Washington unwilling to part with Beal, Golden State instead went with plan B, using both picks at number seven and 14.

Warriors take a swing with Jonathan Kuminga

Plenty of mock drafts had Golden State calling Jonathan Kuminga’s name with the seventh overall pick, and those predictions proved fruitful Thursday night. Kuminga played for the G-League’s Ignite Squad and averaged 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 13 appearances. He shot 38 percent overall and 24.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Upside and future potential is the key consensus with this selection, as Kuminga does not turn 19 until October. He’s a two-way wing that many consider to be a project, but the end result can pay off heavily. He may not have an immediate impact as a rookie, but if he lives up to the potential he displayed in the G-League, we could be looking at a potential gem picked up by Golden State in this draft. History could be on their side, after all, the number seven pick in the 2009 draft worked out pretty well for them.

Moses Moody brings size and length on defense

With two lottery picks at their disposal, one speculated strategy was to take a swing with one pick and play it safe with the other. In selecting Moses Moody with the 14th pick, the Warriors have a potential rotation player that can provide valuable minutes on the defensive end. At 6-6 with a seven-foot wingspan, Moody brings size and length on defense, something incredibly valued by this Warriors organization.

Even without Klay Thompson in the rotation, Golden State ranked in the top five last season in team defensive rating. Adding Moody’s size and length gives them another valuable wing addition, though we shouldn’t discredit what he can bring on the offensive end as well. Moody led Arkansas in scoring with 16.8 points per game and had a knack for getting to the free-throw line. With an advantage in spacing courtesy of the two greatest shooters ever in Steph and Klay, Moody can take advantage inside and get to the line while he’s at it.