Five draft prospects Warriors could target if they trade down
Monte Poole looks at five draft prospects the Warriors could target if they trade down in the lottery.
The Warriors, by all accounts, continue to explore options regarding their lottery pick, No. 2. Among those options is trading down in the lottery, perhaps as far as the middle of the first round.
In a draft with more than a dozen solid prospects, not one of whom projects as an automatic game-changer, trading down is logical. Any franchise taking that route likely will get someone of value while also saving a few dollars in the process.
And, for the Warriors, there is this: Those incapable of defending multiple positions won’t be considered.
Here are, in alphabetical order, five options the Warriors could and should consider if they move out of the top end of the lottery:
When James Wiseman left the program after three games, Achiuwa immediately became the No. 1 option. The 6-foot-9, 225-pound combo forward – with a 7-foot-2 wingspan – is an OK shooter (32.5 percent from deep) but is exceptional on defense. He averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.
His college coach, former NBA star Penny Hardaway, told me Achiuwa “is a true professional, a guy who can guard 1-through-5 and is not afraid of anything.”
Comparisons: Some say Montrezl Harrell, others say Pascal Siakam.
The Warriors have done some background on Achiuwa but as of Wednesday were not among the teams to attend a workout.
Achiuwa, 21, is projected to go in the 12-to-20 range.
At 6-foot-8, 220 pounds and shooting 45.1 percent from distance last season, Bey is a natural catch-and-shoot wing even though his 6-foot-11 wingspan enables him to move into the frontcourt.
A good but unexceptional athlete, Bey can be unselfish to a fault on offense. He has a high basketball IQ, which the Warriors value, and is the relentless defender that every team needs to be a legitimate championship contender.
Comparisons: Some say Khris Middleton, others say Jaylen Brown.
The Warriors have done research; their pipeline to Villanova coach Jay Wright was a factor in drafting Eric Paschall in 2019. Bey, 21, is projected to go in 12-to-18 range, but two years in the ‘Nova program could push him higher.
At 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, the combo guard’s physique is similar to that of former Warrior Shaun Livingston, now in the front office.
Though he lacks Livingston's post scoring, Haliburton has far better range, shooting 42.6 percent from deep in two college seasons. His court savvy and all-around skill set lead scouts to believe Haliburton likely will have a long NBA career. He’s projected to go in the 5-to-10 range.
Comparisons: Some say Lonzo Ball (with a better shot), others say Dejounte Murray.
Each team gets as many as 10 in-person workouts, and the Warriors used one of theirs to get a closer look. They’re interested. Haliburton, 20, is considered a leader and projected to be drafted in the 5-to-10 range.
He’s a capital “D” in search of a 3. There might not be a more ferocious competitor in the draft than this 6-foot-6, 220-pound wing that can defend up four positions. His zest for playing that end of the court is evident not only from various comments but also in studying video. He’s a strongly built slasher whose jump shot needs work. He’s only 19, so his upside is intriguing.
Comparisons: Some say Marcus Smart, others say OG Anunoby.
The Warriors went through a workout with Okoro. Some elements were impressive, others not so much. But it’s tough to reach firm conclusions, particularly about shooting, without 5-on-5 activity. He’s projected to go in the 5-to-10 range.
At 6-foot-6, 195 pounds, with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he’s a fabulous athlete, a dogged defender with a good feel for the game. A wing for today’s NBA. Though he shot 41.7 percent from deep over his two seasons with the Seminoles, video reviews reveal slight mechanical inconsistencies. Tinkering? He says no. Hope not, because his shot was nice as it was. He turned 20 in August.
Comparisons: Some say Kelly Oubre, others say Bradley Beal – both as best-case scenario.
The Warriors already have done with workout-and-interview process with Vassell. It seems they like him a lot. So do other teams. He’s projected to go in the 8-to-12 range.
