The Golden State Warriors are currently in the Western Conference Finals, but they also have the 28th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft to look forward to. Here are five options they could consider.
The Golden State Warriors have been the best team in the league the last few seasons and are looking to add another championship this season. The Warriors are led by their stars, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. They also have fantastic depth, and one of the reasons for that is because they have hit on recent draft picks.
Three seasons ago, the Warriors took Kevon Looney with the 30th pick. Two seasons ago, they drafted Patrick McCaw with the 38th pick. Last season, the Warriors traded cash to the Chicago Bulls for the rights to the 38th pick and that was Jordan Bell. Those three guys were meaningful role players this season and were guys playing on cheap rookie contracts.
Going into this summer, the Warriors are set to have seven guys likely hit free agency. That list is made up of Kevin Durant, Nick Young, Zaza Pachulia, David West, JaVale Mcgee, Kevon Looney and Patrick McCaw. Six are unrestricted free agents while McCaw is restricted. Durant will likely be back with a massive contract. The Warriors are set to be way over the luxury tax next season and will have no cap space.
With their draft pick this season, the Warriors need to try and find a guy who can play meaningful minutes like McCaw and Bell and be on a less expensive rookie contract. The Warriors don’t have the money to go out and get good bench players, so that makes this draft pick essential for them. With that in mind, here are five options for the Warriors at pick No. 28.
5. Jontay Porter
- Height: 6’11”
- Weight: 236 lbs
- Age: 18
- Position: C
The younger brother of soon to be lottery pick, Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter is projected as a first round selection after one season at the University of Missouri. The Ringer labels Porter as a “young, skilled big man who spaces the floor and does all the little things on offense but must improve his defense.”
In his one season in college, Porter averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from the 3-point line.
Porter is a guy who could come in and benefit being around guys like Draymond Green and David West (if they bring him back). He needs to be more physical on both ends of the floor, but his offense could be enough to see some minutes. The Warriors could play him at center and power forward and could play him with Jordan Bell and Green. If Golden State doesn’t bring back JaVale McGee, West or Pachulia, Porter could be in play.
The Ringer compares Porter to Detlef Schrempf, Drew Gooden and Trey Lyles. If he can develop into an offensive weapon for them and add muscle to his body, the Warriors could have their center for the future.
4. Rawle Alkins
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 214 lbs
- Age: 20
- Position: SG
Rawle Alkins played two seasons at the University of Arizona and established himself early as one of the top players in all of college basketball. Alkins has long arms, is a solid shooter, can handle the ball and plays good defense.
Last season at Arizona, Alkins averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 31.4 minutes per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from the 3-point line.
Alkins could come in and play both guard positions for the Warriors. He brings them a scrappy wing to play behind Curry, Thompson and Shaun Livingston. He has solid offensive skills and will be able to knock down catch-and-shoot 3s that the Warriors offense loves to get. If the Dubs move on from Nick Young or Patrick McCaw, Alkins could be a nice fill-in the next couple seasons.
The Ringer compares Alkins to Eric Bledsoe and Lance Stephenson. If he could become a mixture of those two, Alkins will become a reliable sixth man for the Warriors like Andre Iguodala and a guy they count on in close games.
3. Jalen Brunson
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 199 lbs
- Age: 21
- Position: PG
Jalen Brunson played three seasons at Villanova University and was one of the most successful college basketball players in those three seasons. He won two national championships and multiple individual awards.
In his last season at Villanova, Brunson averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 31.8 minutes per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from the 3-point line. He was the Player of the Year in college basketball last season.
Brunson would give the Warriors a ready-to-go backup point guard for Curry. He is labeled by The Ringer as a “classic point guard prospect that’ll fall in the draft because of his age, then play 10-plus years in the NBA.” He is a great shooter and is fantastic with the ball in his hands running the offense and making plays. Brunson is a winner, mature, high basketball IQ player who fits with Golden State. The Warriors have Quinn Cook, but if they add Brunson, they could afford to let Livingston go next summer.
The Ringer compares Brunson to Derrick Fisher and Mark Jackson — both players who were glue guys and meaningful players for their teams for a long time. Brunson’s career could end up being like that, and one day we could see Brunson become a coach.
2. Grayson Allen
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Age; 22
- Position: SG
After playing four seasons for Duke University, Grayson Allen is graduated from college and on his way to the NBA. Allen was one of the most well-known players in college basketball and Duke history.
Last season for Duke, Allen averaged 15.5 points, 4.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 35.6 minutes per game while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 37 percent from the 3-point line.
Allen would provide the Warriors with another sniper out on the wing as an excellent 3-point shooter. He can score with the ball in his hands, creating offense for himself and his teammates. But he can also play off the ball, run off screens for shots and slash to the basket. Allen could play both point guard and shooting guard for the Warriors.
The Ringer compared Allen to Eric Gordon and Danny Ainge. If Allen can be okay on defense and become a 3-point specialist, he has a chance to play a long time in the NBA and could be an instrumental player for the Warriors as they look to continue their championship run.
1. Keita Bates-Diop
- Height: 6’8”
- Weight: 224 lbs
- Age: 22
- Position: SF/PF
At 22 years old, Keita Bates-Diop was one of the most successful players in college basketball last season and brings some of the most talent on both ends of the floor in this year’s NBA Draft. Because he is older, Bates-Diop has a chance to slip, but he can handle the ball, play off the ball, shoot and can play aggressive smart defense.
Last season at Ohio State, Bates-Diop averaged 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks in 33.1 minutes per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from the 3-point line. He was also named the Big Ten Player of the Year.
Bates-Diop could develop into the Andre Iguodala role and be one of the main guys off the bench for a championship team. The Ringer labeled him as a “combo forward who can space the floor and defend multiple positions.” That’s a perfect fit for any NBA team, but for the Warriors, who are going to be tight on money, it’s a need. If Bates-Diop comes in and shows he can contribute right away, he could end up being the steal of the draft.
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The Ringer compared Bates-Diop to Jonas Jerebko and Brian Scalabrine — not super flashy names, but guys who knew their role and were solid role players for their team. Bates-Diop is already a good, mature basketball player, but getting around this championship Warriors organization would only motivate Bates-Diop more to take his game to the next level. Here’s hoping he somehow falls this far.