:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67193096/usa_today_14119559.0.jpg)
The NBA Draft Lottery is fast approaching, meaning we will know very soon where the Golden State Warriors will be picking. The Dubs have a 14% at winning the top selection and are guaranteed a top-five pick after finishing the 2019-20 season with a league-worst record of 15-50.
With no clear-cut favorite to be the No. 1 pick, the Warriors have been linked to many of the prospects who will be available at the draft. Players like Tyrese Haliburton, Onyeka Okongwu, James Wiseman, and Deni Avdija have all been looked at as potential top five picks, but there is one guy who the Dubs are very high on according to the SF Chronicle’s Connor Letourneau.
“Golden State believes, per a league source, that Anthony Edwards is one of the few players available in this draft who can contribute immediately and develop into the face of the franchise within the next few seasons.”
Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game for the Georgia Bulldogs during his freshman season. The 19-year-old will need to improve his outside shooting after only connecting on 29.4% of his 3-point attempts. At 6’4, Edwards has the athleticism, and wingspan (6’9) to be able to grow into a solid NBA defender. He has quick feet and would benefit from playing alongside guys like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson if he makes his way to the Bay Area.
With four of the starting positions already solidified, Edwards would have the benefit of coming off the bench, and not having a great amount of pressure on a Warriors team that should be back among the top teams in the NBA next season.
Head coach Steve Kerr will be able to use some extra time developing Edwards’ game, while Curry, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green carry the load.
Edwards has been widely regarded as the best player in the draft, but some scouts believe he could fall to somewhere between Nos. 3 and No. 5, depending on which teams get the top two picks.
With the lottery set for Aug. 20, where do you have Edwards on your big board?
On to some more links:
The Splash Brothers are itching to get back on the court to play an NBA game. NBC Bay Area’s Drew Shiller says Curry and Thompson have held a workout together while the Dubs prepare for next season.
Curry hasn’t been shy about how much he misses the game since the NBA season resumed in Orlando. NBC Bay Area’s Alex Didion wrote about how Curry’s brother, Seth, has heard from Steph about not being a part of the restart.
Who should represent Golden State at the NBA Draft Lottery next week? Apparently the team hasn’t decided yet itself. (Warriors Wire)
The Dubs will have to be creative when they fill out the roster around the core. Fansided’s Tony Pesta says general manager Bob Myers should target one player who had a short stint with the Dubs during the 2012-13 season.