While the NFL draft is leading headlines, the Golden State Warriors are dialing in for the NBA edition of draft day. With the worst record in the NBA, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will have the opportunity to bring in a blue-chip prospect to the Bay Area at the start of the lottery.
Anthony Edwards, Onyeka Okongwu and LaMelo Ball have been popular at the start of many mock drafts projections for the Warriors. Outside of the top three, Deni Avdija, and Isaac Okoro have been trending names across draft boards.
Golden State will likely have their choice at the top of June’s draft, but what if they went off the board? With the championship core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green still in place, the Warriors could go in a bevy of directions with their selection.
The Warriors could trade the pick for a later spot in the lottery, or they could package their two-second rounders for a late first-round pick. Options will be on the table for Myers and Kerr.
The Warriors have been successful with navigating around the back end of the draft to find contributors. After being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft, Eric Paschall has blossomed into one of the Warriors’ key contributors as a rookie.
If the Warriors decide to go off the radar when it’s their time on the clock, here are three sleepers to consider
Paul Reed, Center, DePaul
Although Marquese Chriss has played well since coming to the Bay Area, the Warriors will have to address their frontcourt over the offseason. With Kevon Looney struggling with injuries, Golden State has limited depth behind Chriss and Green. Enter Paul Reed.
During his junior season at DePaul, The 6-foot-9 forward averaged a double-double with 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds in 31.7 minutes per game. Reed is a frenetic rebounder that can run the floor with gifted athleticism. On offense, the Blue Demon product isn’t afraid to play above the rim.
Paul’s ability on the defensive side of the floor could lead him to hearing his name called early on draft night. Reed averaged 2.6 blocks and 1.9 steals per game with DePaul. The big man recorded two or more blocks in 21 games during his junior season.
Against Minnesota, Paul had a near triple-double with 11 points, nine rebounds and a career-high eight blocks. Paul finished the season with 74 blocks, the second-most in the Big East conference.
The addition of Paul next to Green would give the Golden State Warriors a formidable defensive unit upfront.
Aaron Nesmith, Wing, Vanderbilt
In 2019-20, the Golden State Warriors rank at the bottom of the league in 3-point shooting percentage, with 33.4% on 10.4 makes per game. A large part of their lowly shooting is due to injuries to Curry and Thompson. Once the duo returns healthy to Golden State’s lineup, their shooting numbers will improve.
If Golden State wants to bolster their long-distance shooting outside of the Splash Brothers, Vanderbilt’s Aaron Nesmith is an intriguing option. Although an injury limited him to 14 games in his final season at Vanderbilt, the 6-foot-6 wing shot 52,2% from beyond the arc on 8.2 attempts per game. Nesmith buried seven or more 3-pointers in four games for the Commodores in 2019-20.
Nesmith moves efficiently without the basketball and understands floor spacing well enough to get open. The sophomore sharpshooter plays with confidence and isn’t afraid to let it rip from deep with defenders in his face.
Adding a shooting threat like Nesmith alongside Curry and Thompson could overwhelm opposing defenses from long distance.
Grant Riller, Guard, Charleston
Behind Curry and Thompson, the Warriors have limited scoring depth off the bench. While Jordan Poole has improved, Golden State needs an offensive burst in their backcourt behind the Splash Brothers.
After finding success with a college senior in Paschall last season, Myers could turn to another accomplished four-year player in the draft. Charleston’s Grant Riller has no problem filling it up.
Averaging 18.7 points over 132 games in his four-year career, Riller has proven he can create his own offense when he steps on the floor. In his final season at Charleston, the three-time All-CAA guard averaged 21.9 points on 49.9% shooting for the Cougars with 5.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
At 6-foot-3, Riller uses his crafty handles to get to the bucket from anywhere on the floor. The Florida native is an acrobatic finisher that can convert at the cup through contact.
Riller could fit in next to Eric Paschall for an experienced, yet dynamic offensive one-two punch off the bench in Golden State for the future.
