The Golden Choice: Who should the Warriors draft in 2018?

The Warriors have not possessed a top 10 draft pick since selecting our beloved Harrison Barnes out of North Carolina in 2012 and it’s unlikely that trend will change this year. As a college hoops fiend, I enjoy exploring NBA draft scenarios WAYYYYY too early. The Warriors will likely have the 30th pick in the draft (if they don’t, they’ll still have a low pick).

For the coming months, I’ll regularly alert you of college players who could conceivably drop to the Warriors in the 2018 draft. If you came to read about Michael Porter and Marvin Bagley (top five picks), you’ll be in for a surprise.

Power Rankings: Who should the Warriors draft?

For each draft piece, these rankings will be updated with new additions.

1. Moritz Wagner- Michigan, junior, power forward

2. Bonzie Colson- Notre Dame, senior, forward

3. Mikal Bridges- Villanova, junior, shooting guard

Mo Betta Blues

Moritz Wagner tore Louisville apart last year in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Wagner, a 6’11’’ power forward from Germany, is Michigan’s best player. The junior must continue working on his three-point game—Michigan coach John Beilein is a master at developing future NBA players and the Wolverines play a fast style with lots of long-range shooting. Eight months in advance, I could imagine Wagner developing into the type of player who appeals to Bob Myers.

Bonzie Colson is not playing around

Bonzie Colson is my favorite player in college basketball. The Notre Dame senior talks smack, can defend anyone on the court, and shoots it with the best of them. Hot take alert: Colson is a better player as a Notre Dame senior than Draymond Green as a Michigan State senior. He may never see substantial playing time on an NBA team, but if he’s drafted by the right team, Colson could be a fantastic piece. He’s 6’5’’ with a 7’0’’ wingspan so his position is still unknown in the NBA.

Colson plays in the ACC, the best conference in the country, and will regularly face the likes of Duke, North Carolina, and other NBA prospects this season. He lacks the typical, sculpted NBA body, but possesses a leadership presence that the Warriors will love. Below are the highlights of Colson’s destruction of Brandon Ingram from TWO years ago.

Bridges to everywhere

Mikal Bridges is Villanova’s best defender and his shot has dramatically improved each season since his freshman year. Whereas Colson is more in the mold of a Green or Jordan Bell, Bridges is more of a McCaw—a tall guard/wing who can defend. In the first few months of the season, keep an eye out for Bridges’ shot. The Dubs’ front office will surely take notice if he’s scoring. Below is a sweet feature on Bridges. Talent matters immensely to the Warriors, but so does player personality. He’s another mature player who could fit with Golden State.

All of the aforementioned upperclassmen are potential fits with the Warriors. The Dubs should still scout freshmen, but it would behoove them to continue select players who can contribute immediately. It’s difficult to find players under 20 who are worth taking at the end of the first round. Check these guys out and suggest other ballers who could be a golden choice.