The Golden Choice, Part 6: Who will the Warriors draft in 2018

It remains an enigma as to what position the Warriors are seeking in the 2018 NBA Draft. I’ll echo what others are saying: the Warriors will likely draft the most talented player available. The NCAA tournament will feature some incredible players. Moritz Wagner, a junior forward at Michigan is at the top of the current Golden Choice list. However, Killan Tillie, a forward from Gonzaga, is right on Wagner’s tail near the top of the Golden Choice list to begin the tournament.

Killian Tillie

Last year, Tillie jumped onto the scene as an integral part of Gonzaga’s national runner-up team. He also competed for France in the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, averaging team-highs of 12.4 points and 8.7 rebounds during the tournament. Tillie (and Wagner) both feature a size and skill the Warriors lack: big men who can hit threes. Think about it: Jordan Bell paired with a front-court player with shooting range could be deadly.

The pros and cons of Killian Tillie

Tillie’s skills are not limited to shooting. He is also a solid passer, above-average rebounder, and he can run the floor. In last year’s draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Tillie’s teammate Zach Collins from Gonzaga. Collins has had an excellent rookie campaign. While Tillie is the better shooter of the two, Collins had better inside post moves and was stronger entering the NBA. Tillie still needs to develop an NBA body and work on his defense but the Warriors would hypothetically love his versatility. Tillie has the potential to play both forward positions or center in a small-ball lineup. The below video nicely showcases Tillie’s strengths and areas of growth in a single game.

Landry Shamet

Landry Shamet is 6’4’’ redshirt sophomore combo guard from Wichita State. Shamet is yet another player featured on the Golden Choice with a cool name and fantastic shooting range. He’s led Wichita State to a four seed in the NCAA tournament and NBA scouts will keep a keen eye on on him over his next couple games.

The pros and cons of Landry Shamet

Shamet has shot nearly 46% from three-point range this season and averages five assists per game. He also shoots 83% from the free-throw line, a positive indicator for future shooting success. While Shamet’s quickness will need to improve, he’s an adequate rebounder who can guard both backcourt positions. Scouts point to the fact that he’ll need to get stronger and are worried about his past foot injuries moving forward as he competes against faster players. I envision Shamet as an instant offense type of player off the bench.

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. Keita Bates-Diop- Ohio State, junior, forward

3. Jalen Brunson- Villanova, junior, point guard

4. Killian Tillie- Gonzaga, sophomore, forward

5. Shake Milton- SMU- junior, point guard

6. Landry Shamet-Wichita State, sophomore, guard

7. Bonzie Colson- Notre Dame, senior, forward

8. Rui Hachimura- Gonzaga, sophomore, forward