Who gets a rose? Liffmann's top draft crushes for Warriors

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Grant Liffmann reveals his Warriors draft crushes.

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The 2020 NBA Draft is just two days away, and after so many months of speculation and hypotheticals, we will finally know what the Golden State Warriors intend to do with their No. 2 overall pick.

Will they select a player in that slot? Will they trade the pick in a package for a veteran player? Or will they perhaps trade back further in the draft and collect more assets?

There are endless possibilities

So when it comes time for the Dubs to select a player, who will they take? There have been numerous reports of their interest in Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Deni Avdija and many more highly touted prospects. 

While I do not know who they will take, here is a list of the players that I have grown to appreciate over the last few months. All of these players I think could really help the Warriors now and in the future.

There are quite a few prospects that I like that do not make this list, but here are my top five draft crushes (in no order):

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I think Anthony Edwards has the best chance of being a star in the draft, and I also believe that LaMelo Ball has the most raw potential to hit the highest ceiling. But when it comes to a player who can help the Warriors most right now (which is hard for ANY 19-year-old rookie to do), who has a very high ceiling, and who has perhaps the highest floor of any top prospect, I'm really coming around on Wiseman.

You hear comparisons physically to David Robinson and a ceiling skills-wise of Chris Bosh. Yes, if he came close to either of those players, then he should be the sure-fire No.1 selection.

But even if he does not reach the potential so many hope for, he still is a guy that should defend the rim, rebound, run the floor, and finish above the rim. The Warriors currently do not have anyone on the roster that can do all those things, while also standing 7-foot-1. In fact, the Warriors have not had a player like this in the Steve Kerr era.

So much is made of the small-ball revolution the Warriors perfected, but perhaps some of that is because they have never had a big man as talented as Wiseman. Could the Warriors end up regretting not taking Edwards or Ball? Absolutely.

Both are riskier selections when it comes to the inefficiencies in their shot, lack of motor on defense and some reports behind-the-scenes concerns. If either one of them overcomes those issues, then they are primed to be superstars. 

But if Wiseman can do all the things I listed before, and in a dream world, develop a consistent outside shot over the next few years, he has the potential to become one of the best big men in the game.

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All of these players are going to have deficiencies -- otherwise, they would be selected first overall by the Timberwolves and there would be no discussion about the Warriors grabbing them at No. 2. Okoro, in this case, has a weakness in his 3-point shooting, which is a very necessary tool for a wing in today's NBA.

The only way a player can overcome such a deficiency would be to a special player otherwise. And that is what Okoro can be. He is 6-foot-6, strong and athletic. Most importantly, he is a bulldog on defense and has the mentality of a player that every team would want (perhaps ala Jimmy Butler).

He also has shown an underrated ability to be a playmaker and spread the ball around to his teammates, which is very necessary on the Warriors.

If he could develop a 3-point shot that hovers even close to 35 percent, he has a chance of being a solid starting wing in the NBA for a very long time.

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One of the lesser-known names in the draft, Williams has risen on all boards in the last couple of months as teams are starting to pick up on his potential.

He is a big-bodied wing who has the size and strength to become a premier wing defender, who can also switch onto power forwards. His ability to finish at the rim off the dribble and use his body to his advantage can resemble Eric Paschall at times.

Like Paschall, Williams' 3-point shot is too inconsistent to be relied upon early in his career. However, his ability to consistently hit his free throws makes front offices optimistic that he can become a steady catch-and-shoot type shooter from deep.

While Paschall has shown to be more of a power forward than wing so far, Williams projects to have the versatility to match up against the opponents' top scorers, as long as his quickness catches up with his developing athleticism.

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Vassell, the teammate of Patrick Williams at Florida State, brings exactly what the Warriors are looking for from the wing position. He is an active, long defender who can also hit a 3-point shot.

On defense, he does not have the strength of Williams or the athleticism of Okoro, but he is a high-energy team defender who could step in immediately and bring hustle. His 3-point stroke is not the prettiest, but it was effective in college, so as long as it goes in, no one will be complaining.

He is not as highly regarded as Okoro because he does not project to be as good of a playmaker or attacking off the dribble. But if the Warriors trade back into the five-to-10 range in the draft, he is definitely a good option.

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Bey is the player who probably can step in on Day 1 and help a team right off the bat. He is the ultimate "3-and-D" player in the draft, with very little optimism for growth beyond that. Therefore, while his ceiling may not be incredibly high, his floor is higher than almost all other prospects. 

He is a fantastic 3-point shooter, but cannot create much on his own. He is a versatile defender who can be solid against opponents of all sizes and speeds but will do it in an unspectacular fashion.

He also comes from a top-notch program in Villanova, where prospects always seem to be well prepared for the NBA.

Bey is the perfect player for the Warriors, but they might simply be drafting too high to ever have the realistic opportunity of drafting him.

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