The end of May has usually signaled the start of another NBA Finals run for the Golden State Warriors. Yet in 2020, the three-time champs are on a different path. Prior to the NBA season getting put on pause due to the coronavirus, the Warriors were the first and only team in the league to be officially eliminated from the playoff picture.
For the first time in years, Golden State’s 15-50 record has set the team up to land a top prospect in the 2020 edition of the NBA draft.
With their championship core still in place, Steve Kerr and Bob Myers can go in a bevy of different directions with their top pick. Instead of drafting the best player available, Golden State could look for a player to complement Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Behind their veteran All-Star trio, the Warriors depth chart is rather thin. With three selections in the 2020 draft, Golden State could address multiple areas — including a backup for the former Defensive Player of the Year.
After an impressive rookie campaign, Eric Paschall could slide in behind Green on paper. Though, the Warriors could view him as something more than just a backup off the bench. The Villanova product has shown versatility and could be in line for a featured role in year two.
Even if Paschall sticks as the lead option behind Green, the Warriors could still address the frontcourt in the draft. With Green’s ability to contribute in a bevy of ways, Golden State could tap multiple players at different positions to fill his role when the three-time All-Star is off the floor.
Warriors Wire looked at three different draft prospects the Warriors could bring into back up Green in 2020.
Honorable Mentions:
Reggie Perry — Mississippi State
- Sophomore – Forward – 6-foot-10 – 250 lbs
Mamadi Diakite — Virginia
- Senior – Big – 6-foot-9 – 224 lbs
Isaiah Stewart — Washington
- Freshman – Big – 6-foot-9 – 250 lbs
Yoeli Childs — Boise State
- Senior – Forward – 6-foot-8 – 225 lbs
Jalen Smith — Maryland
Big – 6-foot-10 – 225 lbs – Sophomore
James Wiseman and Onyeka Okongwu lead many big boards when it comes to the frontcourt in the 2020 prospect pool. Behind the top pair, Maryland’s Jalen Smith is an intriguing big-man prospect.
At 6-foot-10, Smith can stretch the floor from the interior out beyond the 3-point line. During his sophomore season in College Park, Smith shot 2.8 3-pointers per game at 36.8%.
Against Indiana, Smith tallied a season-high 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting with four triples. The Third-Team All-American added 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.
Smith is a gifted rebounder, grabbing double-figure boards in 21-of-31 games for the Terrapins. Against Northwestern, the 20-year-old grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds.
The Maryland big-man could bring a dose of the rim protection to the middle of the key. Smith swatted two or more blocks in 23 games during his second season with the Terps. Smith had four or more blocks in six games during his career at Maryland.
Smith would provide the Warriors with a sense of flexibility in the frontcourt. Smith could play alongside both Marquese Chriss and Paschall with Green off the floor. Smith could slide into a true center role once Green takes the court.
The Terrapin big man should be a name to watch as draft season continues to progress.
Jordan Nwora — Lousiville
Forward – 6-foot-7 – 225 lbs – Junior
If the Warriors decide to go away from a traditional big-man later in the draft, Louisville’s Jordan Nwora is a name to get familiar with. Nwora won’t wow you with size and athleticism, but his traits as a shooter could make him a nice fit in Golden State.
In three seasons at Louisville, Nwora averaged 39.4% from beyond the arc in his career. As a junior, Nwora let it fly from long distance 6.1 times a game, recording 40.2% on the season.
The First-Team All-ACC forward led the Cardinals in scoring with 18.0 points per game on 44.0% from the field. On top of his shooting, Nwora is a productive rebounder, grabbing 7.7 boards per contest.
Against Boston College, Nwora inked a career-high 37 points on 11-of-20 shooting with seven 3-pointers and nine boards.
Nwora moves around the floor with an eye to let it rip. Whenever he gets the ball, his feet are set and ready to shoot. The 21-year-old would be a catch and shoot threat the minute he steps on the NBA hardwood. Nwora could develop into a small-ball power forward option for Kerr in Golden State.
Cassius Stanley — Duke
Wing – 6-foot-6 – 193 lbs – Freshman
If a traditional big or a high caliber shooter doesn’t interest the Warriors, they could opt for a player with upside.
Duke’s Cassius Stanley stats won’t jump off the boxscore at 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game during his only season in Cameron Indoor. However, his athletic traits are unmatched in the 2020 prospect pool.
Stanley is an above the rim high flyer that can fit in with an up-tempo offense like the Golden State Warriors possess.
On offense, the Duke freshman uses his speed to get defenders on their heels in the open court before blitzing by them to the basket. On the defensive side of the floor, Stanley uses his rare athleticism and leaping ability to clean up blocks, rebounds and steals.
As a shooter, Stanley is raw, but his jumper is smooth with a positive foundation for growth. Stanley averaged three 3-point attempts for the Blue Devils, shooting 36% from beyond the arc.
Although Stanley is more of a wing, the former four-star prospect plays bigger than he stands at 6-foot-6 due to his athleticism. Stanley’s ability to contribute all over the court could give the Warriors a dash of what Green does best. While Stanley probably won’t directly backup Green, the All-ACC Freshman gives the Warriors a change of pace choice in the second unit.
