Golden State Warriors: 5 options for pick No. 14 in 2021 NBA Draft

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Golden State Warriors, NBA draft Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images /

Golden State Warriors options for pick No. 14: 3. Chris Duarte, Wing, Oregon

If Corey Kispert is old, then Chris Duarte is an artifact. The 6’6″ guard went through a circuitous route to end up at Oregon and is already 24 years old. His upside is therefore very limited, and the track record of players that old coming into the draft is not stellar, especially when chosen in the lottery.

Yet Duarte has a lot going for him. He is a knockdown shooter who can hit off movement, with pull-ups and excels at catch-and-shoot baskets as well. He hit 42.4 percent of his 3-pointers and 63.1 percent of his 2-pointers, with his speed and quickness getting him to the rim where he finishes well.

He’s a great defender as well, with good size and strength to take on wings but the foot speed to check guards. He has fast hands that can cause deflections and steals to in turn ignite fast breaks where he is dynamic finishing or setting up teammates.

Duarte looks like a perfect fit to slot into the Warriors’ rotation and pair with Jordan Poole as a bench backcourt with excellent size and versatility. This would be a pick for the rest of Stephen Curry’s prime, not as a bridge to the next core. His age is scary, but his game is exactly what the Warriors need.

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