Warriors draft rumors: Dubs not high on Wiseman, notes on Ball, Haliburton

Rumor season is officially underway!

The Golden State Warriors will be at the center of the rumor mill once the 2019-20 NBA season is complete. The Dubs have the best backcourt in the NBA and are armed with the No. 2 pick, which general manager Bob Myers can either use or trade for a proven veteran.

Wes Goldberg of The Mercury News recently joined the Locked on Warriors podcast, and says one thing the Warriors won’t be doing with the second-overall pick is select Memphis big man James Wiseman (h/t NBC Bay Area):

“My intel from people I talk to is that the Warriors aren’t high on Wiseman. I reported last week that the Warriors are much higher on this class’ guards and wings than they are on this class’ centers, and I still think that they’re going to go in that direction — even if Anthony Edwards is off the board. I don’t know why every mock draft has Wiseman going (to Golden State). If you’re a national guy — and you’re putting one of these mocks together — you’re just looking at team needs, and the Warriors have their point guard, they have their shooting guard, they have their small forward, they have their power forward ... it’s easy enough to put Wiseman in there. I’m just telling you that’s not what’s gonna happen.”

Wiseman’s college coach Penny Hardaway believes the freshman should be the first name called at the draft, but according to Goldberg, the Dubs aren’t sold. Golden State has a clear need at the 5-spot, but with Kevon Looney, Marquese Chriss, and mid-level exception available, the Dubs can look at the other options.

Goldberg added that the Warriors are more enamored with the guard prospects than the available big men. He singled out Tyrese Haliburton and LaMelo Ball as potential targets:

“Haliburton is a developed 3-point shooter (41.9 percent on 5.6 3-point attempts per game as a sophomore) and capable of guarding multiple wing positions. It’s easy to project him playing off the ball and making open jumpers alongside (Steph) Curry and (Klay) Thompson, or leading the Warriors’ second-unit offense. If Ball’s jumper doesn’t develop (25 percent on 6.7 3-point attempts per game last season with the Illawarra Hawks) and isn’t a plus-defender right away (unlikely as a 19-year-old), he may be limited to leading bench units for 15 minutes a game.”

Haliburton is the better fit with Golden State than Ball. His defensive capabilities make him an enticing prospect, and he is a better shooter than LaMelo. While Ball may have the higher ceiling, it’s tough to see how a ball-dominant point guard will mesh with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins.

If the Warriors are sold on Haliburton, they could look to trade down a few spots and nab him a few picks later than No. 2.

We still have plenty of time between now and the NBA Draft, but if you had to pick one of the prospects Goldberg mentions, which one would it be?

Let us know how you voted in the comments below!

On to some links:

Andrew Wiggins is looking to reignite his career alongside the Big 3. NBC Bay Area’s Josh Schrock says the former No. 1 pick’s 3-point shot should excited Dubs fans.

Could the Warriors be interested in one of the New York Knicks? Fansided’s Tony Pesta explores the rumors that the Dubs could go after guard Frank Ntilikina.

Is there a deal to be made between Golden State and the Philadelphia 76ers? If so, Ben Simmons and Al Horford could be potential targets. (NBC Bay Area)