After an extended wait, the 2020 NBA draft is officially here. Before the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick later in the evening, trade chatter is heating up.
Since the Golden State Warriors landed the No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 draft, there’s talk of a potential trade for the pick. With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in the rotation, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr could deal the pick to acquire a win-now option that helps push Golden State back to the postseason in 2021.
As the draft rapidly approaches, Kevin O’Connor of The Athletic is reporting the Warriors and Bulls have discussed a deal involving a former Duke Blue Devil.
According to O’Connor, the Warriors and Bulls have discussed trading the No. 2 overall pick for Wendell Carter Jr. and the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft.
Via @KevinOConnorNBA on Twitter:
Sources: The Warriors and Bulls have discussed a trade that’d send the second pick in exchange for the fourth pick and Wendell Carter Jr.
More detail, reports and analysis inside my latest Mock Draft update on @ringer: https://t.co/MWGF6RSakS
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 18, 2020
In 2018, the Bulls landed Carter Jr. out of Duke with the No. 7 overall pick on draft night. Prior to entering the draft, the former McDonald’s All-American averaged 13.5 points on 56.1% shooting from the field with 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 37 games for coach Mike Krzyzewski’s program.
During his two seasons in Chicago, Carter Jr. is averaging 10.8 points on 50.8% shooting from the field with 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27.2 minutes per game.
Although he’s posted steady numbers in his two seasons in the association, Carter Jr. has dealt with injuries. Carter Jr.’s rookie season was cut short due to a thumb injury. As a sophomore in 2019-20, Carter Jr. missed time with an ankle injury.
While the Bulls could move up to target a player like James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball, the Warriors add a 21-year-old former top-prospect to a position of need while opening up the opportunity to draft a wing.
Moving from No. 2 to No. 4, the Warriors could target a player like Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton or Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Deni Avdija. Golden State could leave draft night with needed depth on the wing and the frontcourt.
