Editor's note: As the Warriors prepare for the 2020 NBA draft, NBC Sports Bay Area will present a twice-weekly series spotlighting two "Sleepers" likely to be evaluated. This is the second of a 12-part series on intriguing prospects considered risky to select among the top 10.
The Warriors have been fascinated by two-way wings in recent years. Kentucky's Tyrese Maxey fits the mold and could be an intriguing prospect if he falls in the draft.
A 6-foot-3 guard, Maxey averaged 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 blocks as a freshman under the tutelage of coach John Calipari. In a win over Michigan State, he finished with 26 points and five rebounds. A month later, he finished with 27 points and 7 rebounds in a win over Louisville. By the end of the season, he was named to the SEC's All-Freshman team.
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His defensive smarts and athleticism are attributes that the Warriors covet. In recent summers, they've looked for two-way prospects to play alongside Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. From Patrick McCaw to Jordan Poole, the team is always looking for multi-faceted talents.
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However, Maxey struggled from the field in Lexington, making just 43 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range, despite being touted as a shooter. During his first season, he was a frequent gunner who didn't always get his shots within the flow of the offense. Additionally, with his slim frame, he'll need to bulk up to succeed at the next level.
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Golden State Warriors
At the moment, Maxey figures to be a fringe lottery pick. While Golden State is lock to have a top-5 pick, Warriors general manager Bob Myers told NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole that he'd "consider" trading the pick. If Myers decides to do so and picks up a later pick in the process, Maxey could be an intriguing project for the Warriors.
Tyrese Maxey profile
Position: Shooting guard
Class: Freshman
Birthdate: November 4, 2000 (19 years old)
Hometown: Garland, Texas
2019-20 season averages: 14.0 points (42.7 percent field goals, 29.2 percent on 3-pointers, 83.3 percent on free throws), 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 blocks.
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 198
Wingspan: 6-5
What they're saying: "He’s not a natural creator, he’s wired to score more than anything else, and he certainly isn’t an elite athlete by NBA combo-guard standards, although he is a pretty good on-ball defender. He’s also a worker, and by all accounts a great kid and competitor." - Rob Dauster, NBC Sports
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