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Golden State Warriors: 3 draft picks from the 2010s we wish worked out

By Zane Harris

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: General manager Bob Myers of the Golden State Warriors looks on courtside during the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: General manager Bob Myers of the Golden State Warriors looks on courtside during the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors, NBA draft (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors, NBA draft (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) /

Warriors picks in the NBA draft: 2. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes was selected with the 7th overall pick of the 2012 draft.

He played a big role on the Warriors’ Finals runs in 2015 and 2016. Oftentimes, Barnes would get open looks from three while teams were focused on chasing Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson around off-ball screens.

Barnes capitalized on many of the open shots he was gifted by the defense. In the playoffs during his time with Golden State, he was a 35.5 percent shooter from three.

Along with this, he was a very sound defender. He was one of the players in the rotation of guarding stars like LeBron James when the Warriors would face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals. Being trusted by a great head coach like Steve Kerr to guard an all-time legend in James, even in spurts, speaks to the level of defender that Barnes was while only being in his early 20s.

Barnes was traded to the Dallas Mavericks after their Finals defeat in 2016. This was done to make for enough cap space to acquire Kevin Durant and create arguably the most talented roster of all time. However, while they made quick work of James and the Cavaliers with Durant in 2017 and 2018, if Barnes was on the roster, would he have brought enough to win the series against the Toronto Raptors.

The Warriors lost both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson due to injury, however, if Barnes were still on the roster and healthy a case could have been made that Curry would have had enough help to take down Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors.

There is no way of knowing what the state of the Warriors dynasty would be if they would have chose to keep Barnes on the team. However, in his four seasons with the Warriors, he was at least able to pick up one championship victory.

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