Golden State Warriors: 5 options for pick No. 28 in 2019 NBA Draft

2. Carsen Edwards

It’s easy to look at the recently completed NBA Finals and overreact to opponent-specific weaknesses in the Warriors’ roster. The reality is the Dubs have only lost two series in five years, and the Toronto Raptors took advantage of a lack of Golden State depth — for multiple reasons — to win the title. One weakness the Raptors exposed is a lack of offensive creators.

When Stephen Curry was off the floor, the Warriors were hard-pressed to create offense. Players such as Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green can handle and make the right pass, but neither is much of a threat to attack and score — at the rim or pulling up. Quinn Cook is miscast running an offense, being more suited to attack off the closeout.

That’s where a player like Carsen Edwards out of Purdue could be a major asset for the Warriors coming off the bench. There are serious question marks about his size and ability to survive defensively, but he is a top-shelf athlete who can score from all three levels. He proved to the world he can fill it up throughout the NCAA Tournament, culminating in 42 points and 10 3-pointers in the Elite Eight against eventual champion Virginia.

The Warriors have had trouble containing the Los Angeles Clippers’ Lou Williams over the past few years, including the in first round of the playoffs this year. Edwards at his best could be the next coming of “Sweet Lou” and give the Warriors serious firepower off the bench.

Edwards is already 21, stands just 6’0″ tall and is not a dynamic passer — there are warts. But late in the first round might be the perfect time to grab a player with his offensive talent and deploy him as a grenade in the middle of opposing defenses.