While the Warriors were busy clinching their fifth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, their scouting department has been busy. The NBA Draft Lottery and Scouting Combine were held in Chicago last week, and while the lottery did not really affect Golden State, the combine offered teams all across the NBA to scout most of the draft’s top prospects in a single venue. With the combine, there starts to be a little more headway in who certain teams are looking at, whether it be through mock drafts or scheduled workouts.
The Warriors hold the 28th and 58th picks in the draft. Teams can go a variety of directions with these picks, and the Warriors are no exception. They have consistently been picking in this range for the past five years, and have experience drafting prospects in this tier. The Warriors seem to be looking at players that have already been linked to the team, as well as some new faces as well. Let’s learn about them and what they could bring to the team.
Ty Jerome
Fresh off of a national championship, the guard from Virginia is not likely to be a prospect with high upside. However, he is a very good all-around player who uses his IQ and feel for the game to mitigate some of his physical limitations. The Warriors brought the junior in for a workout. To learn more about Jerome, take a look at our draft article prior to the NCAA Tournament, where we previously took an in-depth look at Jerome.
Luguentz Dort
Dort is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. Evaluators are first enticed by size, measuring at 6’4″ with a 6’8″ wingspan and weighing in at 222 pounds. When you take into account his age, versatility on the defensive end, and the potential to become a solid guard offensively, it makes sense that he was brought in for a workout. Dort has also been previously linked to the Warriors, and you can find a more detailed scouting report here.
Terence Davis
A prospect that has been slowly gaining steam in the postseason, Davis has solidified himself as a legitimate draft candidate in the pre-draft process. After successful showings at the Portsmouth Invitational (senior only showcase) and the G-League Elite Combine, the Ole Miss guard earned himself a spot in the NBA Combine where he made the most of his opportunity. An athletic guard with a propensity to score the ball, Davis’ combination of size and offensive prowess is sure to catch the eye of a team, maybe even the Warriors. Our own Bryan Kalbrosky reported that Golden State brought Davis in for a workout recently, who believes that he can be selected in the 20 to 40 range.
Shamorie Ponds
An electrifying guard who has the ability to create for both himself and others, Ponds has been getting buckets since he stepped onto St. Johns’ campus, and if the junior is feeling it, his shot seems to be automatic. Despite him only being 6 feet tall, his defense is relatively good. If he can be a little more consistent with his decision making, he has the potential to become a solid point guard behind Stephen Curry.
Mamadi Diakite
Diakite was another player who made his claim for the NBA in the NCAA Tournament, moving into the starting lineup due to his mobility and versatility on the defensive end. While mostly known as a shot blocker for most of his college time, his improvements on making help side reads proved to be a major boon to the Cavaliers’ defense. While not the most polished player offensively, Diakite is solid as a low usage center who can finish around the rim and while rolling to the basket. If his shot improves, the Warriors could find themselves a solid back up big.
Ky Bowman
Bowman put up some big numbers in arguably the most competitive conference in the country (the ACC). While starring at Boston College, Bowman developed a reputation as someone with the ability to score the ball in bunches. However, his efficiency and decision making leaves something to be desired. Essentially a shooting guard in a small point guard’s body, Bowman has a lot to prove in order to be drafted, though if he does, he too can develop into a potential backup guard.
Chris Clemons
Over the course of his college career, Clemons has been known for two things: his diminutive stature and his explosive scoring ability. Coincidentally, this pretty much sums up his draft profile as well. While Clemons can score the ball with the best of them, there is not too much else to his game that is positive for NBA talent evaluators. However, the effectiveness of this skill could turn into an NBA contract for him. The Warriors took a look at him through a workout, so only time will tell as to whether they see enough in Clemons.
Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams
The dynamic duo that propelled Tennessee to a historic season have shown throughout the year that they have the talent to make an impact in the NBA, but how would they fit on Golden State. The team’s brass was obviously curious enough that they held a workout for the two forwards. While they are both built similarly, they have very different games.
Schofield is a burly and athletic wing who shot the ball well from deep. While he needs to become more consistent on the defensive side of the floor, the potential is definitely there, and teams such as the Warriors may use a first round pick on him to boost immediate bench depth.
Williams plays like a power forward with the ability to rotate in as a small ball center. His plays with a high IQ, and can do a little bit of everything. A back to back SEC Player of the Year, Williams has proven that he can perform at the highest level on the collegiate stage. The only question is whether his shot will translate and how high his upside actually is. If the Warriors are fortunate enough for Williams to fall to them with the 28th pick, one can only assume that they will take him with little hesitation.
Brian Bowen
Despite receiving more publicity for his involvement in the FBI/NCAA scandal, Brian Bowen is a very intriguing prospect that should be given more publicity than he is currently receiving. While his time playing for the Sydney Kings in Australia took some adjustments, he showed the flashes that made him such a highly touted prep prospect. His main skill is his ability to shoot the ball, but is slowly developing his secondary strengths. If available at 58, the Warriors would be smart in picking a player who was previously billed as a first-round pick.
