Golden State Warriors options for pick No. 3: James Bouknight, SG, UConn
Last year the Golden State Warriors were desperate for someone to put pressure on the rim. Andrew Wiggins can score inside but is not blowing by defenders and forcing the defense into rotation. Jordan Poole is growing in that area but it’s not the highlight of his game.
If the Warriors take Connecticut shooting guard James Bouknight with the seventh pick, that need would immediately be filled. Whatever else he will be in his career, Bouknight is a walking bucket, pouring in points from everywhere on the court.
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An exceptional athlete, Bouknight’s combination of long strides and length allow him to gain separation when driving to the rim, and he is strong enough to go up through contact and finish. He has “shake” and can get to his spots to rise up for a short jumper or to create a layup. He is confident (probably too confident) in his shot, and will roast mismatches to create his own shot.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t particularly accurate with that shot, shooting just 32 percent across two seasons with the Huskies. The rosy interpretation of that number is that he was needing to create everything for himself, playing on a team with no other offensive creators. He shot 80 percent from the line, suggesting there is a true shooter hidden underneath if his looks get easier.
On defense, Bouknight competes, and his athleticism and physicality do him well. Off the ball, he does have frequent lapses, and if he is caught on a switch he loses very quickly. He might become a really good defender, but even if he doesn’t he shouldn’t be a blazing target for opposing offenses.
Steve Kerr and the Warriors ask players to move the ball, and that is one of Bouknight’s biggest drawbacks. Perhaps because of the team he played on and what he was asked to do, Bouknight rarely looks for the pass. He is a score-first guard through and through. Is that what the Warriors need to juice their second-unit offense? Or will fitting Bouknight into this roster and scheme be like fitting a square peg into a round hole?