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Warriors general manager Bob Myers has spent much of the past few months on every aspect of the NBA Draft: player evaluation, big table standings, even trade negotiations.
Now, with the draft looming at 5 p.m. PDT on Thursday, Myers and his team are in the final stages of preparing for an event that could help determine the franchise’s trajectory.
With the seventh and 14th pick, the Warriors are set to double-select the lottery for the first time since taking on Jason Richardson (No.5) and Troy Murphy (No.14) in 2001.
Here is a detailed alphabet book of the draft night:
Will an exchange with Bradley Beal take place?
The Warriors enter the draft on hold. Beal is reconsidering his future with the Wizards, and if he decides to ask for a trade would affect Golden State’s approach to draft night.
The question is how long it will take Beal to figure out what he wants. Several reports have indicated that Beal could choose to stay with Washington or force his exit as early as this week, which makes sense given that potential trades for him would likely include draft picks.
But the longer Beal goes without asking for a trade, the less likely the Wizards are to orchestrate a deal on him by Thursday night. A league source told The Chronicle on Wednesday morning that the Warriors’ decision-makers didn’t expect a trade from Beal – themselves or anyone else – before they had to make their two lottery picks.
It’s entirely possible that Beal will be asking for a trade weeks, if not months, after the draft. That’s why the Warriors need to keep a possible trade package in mind for Beal when they hit the clock on Thursday. If the Wizards deal with Beal, they’ll likely move all-in for a rebuild. A very promising prospect like Jonathan Kuminga, Keon Johnson or Josh Giddey – all possibilities for the Warriors at No.7 – would be more attractive to Washington than an older player like Davion Mitchell.
In case Golden State could close a trade for Beal on Thursday, he would almost certainly have to give up a slew of assets: No.7 and 14 picks, James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins and maybe a future first-round pick or two. However, the Warriors’ draft could still be affected, even if Washington finds a different trading partner for Beal. A deal of this magnitude would likely have a domino effect, with opportunities for Golden State yet to be predicted.
If Beal is not available, are there other exchanges possible?
Assuming the Warriors couldn’t acquire Beal on Thursday, they would be open to smaller moves. A league source reiterated this week that Golden State would be interested in packing the No.7 and 14 picks for a rookie-caliber player.
However, it’s unclear who might be available. Several reports have indicated that Utah could buy Joe Ingles or Bojan Bogdanovic – two stunning shooters that would suit the Warriors’ system perfectly. There has also been speculation that the Warriors could drive Myles Turner away from Indiana.
If the Warriors are trying to advance in the draft, they’ll likely be looking at Gonzaga goalie Jalen Suggs. His vision of the pitch, defensive versatility and playmaking abilities would give him a chance to be a key part of Golden State’s rotation as a rookie. But given how much top-four teams value their picks, the Warriors would have a hard time negotiating in the Suggs lineup.
Golden State is more likely to drop a few spots in the draft. An intriguing potential business partner is Memphis, which has several helpful players on rookie contracts that the Warriors would like. ESPN analyst Zach Lowe recently offered the following possible deal on his podcast: De’Anthony Melton, Brandon Clarke and the Grizzlies’ No.10 pick for Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, Mychal Mulder, Damion Lee and No.7.
This type of trade could be compelling for the Warriors, especially if they want someone like Giddey at No.7 who would likely be available at No.10. Golden State general manager Bob Myers won’t worry, however. hardly if no exchange materializes. On Monday, he planned to keep the two lottery picks.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Franz Wagner # 21 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Assembly Hall on February 27, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
Justin Casterline / Getty ImagesWho are the Warriors targeting at # 7?
It is becoming increasingly clear that, if Golden State retains both picks, it will require a high prospect at No.7 and a plug-and-play player at No.14. Many names have been linked to the Warriors at seven. . , but the latest information from The Chronicle suggests they’ve focused on four players there: Kuminga, Giddey, Connecticut guard James Bouknight and Michigan forward Franz Wagner.
The big unknown is whether Kuminga will be available. A consensus among the top-five picks for much of the past year, its stock has plummeted in recent weeks as Scouts fear it may no longer be a long-term project than initially thought. A league source said Kuminga could slide to 11th place.
If Kuminga is available at seven, the Warriors will face a tough decision. His lackluster defense and difficulty shooting with G League Ignite in the G League bubble indicated that he might need more time at this level in the G League. This might be difficult for the Warriors to bear, given that they want to maximize what is left of their Core Bounty.
But Kuminga’s physical gifts and scoring potential give him a legitimate chance at becoming an All-NBA player, which can’t necessarily be said about anyone who should be available at seven. A league source told The Chronicle on Wednesday afternoon that the Warriors “are leaning toward” taking Kuminga if he’s available at No.7.
However, there are other possibilities that Golden State loves. Bouknight could offer to score on the bench. Giddey is projecting himself as a secondary ball player as a rookie, with a chance to become Stephen Curry’s heir to point guard. Wagner is a versatile wing with a lot of intangible assets the Warriors want in a complementary player.
Who are the Warriors targeting at # 14?
Part of the reason Golden State is comfortable focusing on long-term potential at seven years is because they are confident they can get a ready-made contributor at 14. years. Duarte, Virginia forward Trey Murphy and Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert.
All three are experienced shooters who have spent at least a few years in college.
It’s also possible that the Warriors will pick up someone at 14 who was due to leave earlier. Mitchell would be a hit if he was available at 14. Arkansas guard Moses Moody would also be a value pick in this lineup.
Connor Letourneau covers the Warriors for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Con_Chron
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