The Golden State Warriors are in an unusual position, considering the immense success they’ve had over the past five years.
Though the Warriors won titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018, they currently have the worst record in the NBA at 15-50.
Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers spoke with Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area about the team’s 2020 NBA draft plans, and a plethora of options are available — including potentially trading the high pick the Warriors are set to earn. As of now, the Warriors can pick no lower than fifth overall, per Tankathon.
The NBA draft is still officially set for June 25, but it is likely to be moved to August or September, per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
“Yeah, we’re going to consider all that,” Myers said, per Poole. “Now, I don’t know if the headline is going to be that we’re trading our pick. So, be clear that I said ‘consider.’”
The Warriors have a reliable, veteran core in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Along with those three, players like Andrew Wiggins and Marquese Chriss are poised to make an impact in the Warriors’ high-octane offense.
If the Warriors have the No. 1 pick, trading down might make sense. Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball are seen as the top prospects, but the Warriors don’t need any more guards. They also don’t need another athletic big like Wiseman.
Drafting someone lower might be more beneficial because the fit could be better for both the Warriors and the player.
Vanderbilt forward Aaron Nesmith would fit well with Golden State. He isn’t projected to go in the top five, but he is a lottery-level talent. He was mocked to the New Orleans Pelicans at 13th overall in The Ringer’s latest mock draft.
Nesmith proved to be one of the best shooters in college hoops last season, as he scored 23.0 points per game and shot 52.2% from the 3-point line on 8.2 attempts a game.
