Golden State Warriors 2019 NBA Draft Night Recap

After a tumultuous NBA Finals in which the team lost two of their three best players to injury — Klay Thompson (ACL tear) and Kevin Durant (Achilles rupture) the Golden State Warriors turned their attention to the 2019 NBA Draft.

Here’s a recap of their selections:

Next: Jordan Poole, University of Michigan

No. 28 Jordan Poole, Michigan

With the 28th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Warriors selected Jordan Poole, a wing from the University of Michigan. Poole provides the Warriors with shooting. With Durant ruled out for the 2019-20 and a timetable not set yet on Thompson’s return — the shooting guard has not had surgery yet — the Warriors will certainly need Poole’s shooting touch.

Poole will most likely slide into the Warriors’ guard rotation but it is unclear if he will get the opportunity to crack the rotation. Rookies typically do not crack coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, although general manager Bob Myers has said rookies could see opportunities early.

Poole’s length may be a great asset for him. The Warriors love players with length and Poole has it, which should give him the ability to become a good defender. He is listed at 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds.

In his sophomore season with Michigan, Poole averaged almost 13 points per game and shot 37 percent from three-point range.

Warriors fans might remember his buzzer-beating three in the 2018 NCAA Tournament to beat Houston in the second round.

Next: Alen Smailagic, Santa Cruz Warriors

No. 39 Alen Smailagic, Santa Cruz Warriors

The Warriors acquired the No. 39 pick in the NBA Draft from the New Orleans Pelicans and selected Alen Smailagic — a Serbian teenager who spent last season with the Santa Cruz Warriors. According to Mark Medina, the Warriors gave up two future second-round picks and cash for Smailagic to get the player the team reportedly has been sold on for some time.

Smailagic stands at 6-foot-10 and is only 18 years old.

Warriors gave New Orleans two future second-round picks in 2021 and 2023 and cash for the No. 39 pick so that they could have Alen Smailagić

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 21, 2019

With Santa Cruz, Smailagic averaged nine points and four rebounds per game. Smailagic will likely spend most of next season back in Santa Cruz and be looked at as a development project for the Warriors.

Next: Eric Paschall, Villanova

No. 41 Eric Paschall, Villanova

With the 41st pick, the Warriors selected Eric Paschall, a forward from Villanova. Unlike Smailagic, Paschall is expected to help the Warriors immediately. Paschall provides the Warriors with frontcourt depth and some outside shooting.

In his senior season, Paschall averaged almost 17 points and six rebounds per game. Paschall also provides the Warriors with another three-point threat; he shot almost 35 percent from beyond the arc. Paschall was an integral part of Villanova’s national championship in 2018.

Next: Miye Oni, Yale