It was reported immediately after acquiring the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft that the Golden State Warriors were looking to flip said selection for a proven player.
This makes sense to an extent in that Golden State is not in the same position as other teams selecting at the top of the lottery.
Despite boasting a 15-50 record this past season, head coach Steve Kerr and Co. have to be seen as top-flight contenders in the Western Conference heading into the 2020-21 campaign. Said record was dictated by the fact that three-time NBA champs Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson played a combined five games.
Although, we’re now hearing different rumors on the Warriors’ front heading into a draft that’s expected to be delayed for a second time this year.
Warriors not looking to trade No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft
“The Warriors will listen to pitches for the No. 2 pick, but league sources indicate they are prepared to select a player no matter what the Timberwolves do at No. 1,” Wes Goldberg of The Mercury News reported this week.
There’s certainly a lot to look at here. Golden State will likely be able to choose from former Memphis center James Wiseman and either guard Anthony Edwards or fellow back-court star LaMelo Ball with the second pick.
In particular, Wiseman should be available. Selecting No. 1 overall, the Minnesota Timberwolves have no need for a big man with All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns acting the part of the face of the franchise.
Wiseman would make sense in that Golden State needs another big to go with Marquese Chriss and former All-Star Draymond Green, the latter of whom regressed this past season and could be trade bait during the fall.
For general manager Bob Myers and Co., it’s all about finding a player who can contribute immediately while looking forward to the post Curry and Thompson years. While both are still in their prime, boasting the No. 2 pick is a way for Golden State to plan for a life without the two future Hall of Fame guards.
All of this could very well be PR spin. Golden State is not in a position where it has to draft a player at No. 2. Remember, the team acquired Minnesota’s unprotected first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft in deal that shipped D’Angelo Russell to the Twin Cities for Andrew Wiggins.
There’s also another aspect to look at here.
The Warriors are clearly looking to add another star
It’s not a zero-sum game for the Warriors. Adding a player with the second pick would not result in the five-time defending Western Conference champions missing out on another star to team up with Curry and Thompson.
This could all be part of a long-term plan in an attempt to pry reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warriors have been linked to him on a never-ending loop over the past calendar year-plus.
That might be an unlikely scenario, but it will play a role in the decision-making process in San Francisco when the 2020 NBA Draft finally comes calling.