Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 6/23/23: Mike Dunleavy Jr. reflects on a ‘very successful’ Warriors’ draft day

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The 2023 NBA Draft was an eventful experience for the Golden State Warriors. A blockbuster trade, two draft selections, and one undrafted free agent signing were the highlights of draft day, as the team officially reigned in the era of new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. Here is a recap of the days events:

Chris Paul is a Warrior

The day started off with the Warriors acquiring former Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul via a trade with the Washington Wizards. In exchange, Golden State sent over Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins, a 2027 second round pick, and a top 20-protected first round pick in 2030. Bringing in one of Dub Nation’s biggest rivals was a bold move for the organization, however, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater explains the Warriors’ rationale behind the deal in one of his latest articles.

Via The Athletic:

Older, even smaller, but more to Steve Kerr’s liking. Several insiders have already expressed an expectation that Kerr will be amped for the Paul addition. Kerr has long believed the Warriors are at their best when they have a more traditional point guard as a regular part of the rotation, settling everything down.

It’s why he adored Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, and what he felt was missing last season, especially during Poole’s dizzying stretches of high turnovers and questionable shot selection. Paul is as traditional as a point guard gets and remained effective as a table-setter last season when available, averaging 8.9 assists and 13.9 points on decent efficiency.

In an interview after news of the trade came out, Chris Paul said he’s excited to join the Warriors as he chases the elusive championship that has evaded him throughout his career (thanks in large part to Golden State).

Warriors select Brandin Podziemski 19th overall

Despite speculation of trading this year’s pick, the Warriors decided to stand pat and used the 19th pick to select Brandin Podziemski out of Santa Clara. Podziemski is a high IQ, 6-foot-5 guard who excels at scoring the basketball due to his tremendous shooting ability (43.8% from three-point range last season). Draft experts praised Golden State for the pick, saying Podziemski should be a perfect fit for head coach Steve Kerr’s system.

While the Warriors had the option of selecting Villanova’s Cam Whitmore — a projected top 10 pick who fell out of the lottery — Dunleavy said he ultimately went with the highest player on their draft board, in this case, Podziemski.

It’s safe to say, Podziemski approves of that decision and is excited to join the team as well.

Late addition to Chris Paul trade nets Trayce Jackson-Davis

Just when it seemed like the Warriors were done, they made a late amendment to their deal with the Wizards, adding in last year’s first rounder Patrick Baldwin Jr. for the 57th pick in this year’s draft. With the pick, Golden State selected Trayce-Jackson Davis, an athletic, playmaking big whom the Warriors were surprised to see fall that far in the draft.

Warriors fans should be happy to know that the fall has Jackson-Davis motivated to prove his doubters wrong.

Conclusion

Following the draft, the Warriors finished things off by signing undrafted free agent Javan Johnson out of DePaul. At the end of the day, the Warriors accomplished their draft day goals by committing to their championship core and bringing in several high IQ players who are motivated to do one thing next season: Win. Dunleavy called it a “very successful” day for the organization, but things are just getting started as the team now prepares for the start of free agency on June 30.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• Warriors trade Patrick Baldwin Jr. to Wizards for Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis
• Warriors sign DePaul’s Javan Johnson
• Warriors select Brandin Podziemski with No. 19 pick
• What will the Warriors starting lineup be?
• Chris Paul ‘excited’ to join Stephen Curry and the Warriors

Other Warriors News:

• Sources: Wizards to send Chris Paul to Warriors for Jordan Poole (ESPN)
• Warriors cap wild draft day with Patrick Baldwin Jr. for Trayce Jackson-Davis swap — here’s what it means(The Athletic)
• Thompson: Chris Paul and Steph Curry joining forces proves life is a flat circle (The Athletic)
• NBA draft grades: How Podziemski fits Warriors’ immediate future (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Chris Paul is the NBA’s great superstar journeyman (SB Nation)

NBA News:

• 2023 NBA Draft: Analysis, fits for every pick from John Hollinger and Sam Vecenie (The Athletic)
• 2023 NBA Draft: How serious are teams taking the new CBA? Even the big-spending Warriors are shedding salary(Yahoo Sports)
• Scoot Henderson to Blazers at No. 3 in NBA draft, ‘hoping’ to play with Lillard (ESPN)
• Bulls not expecting Lonzo Ball (knee) to play this season (ESPN)
• The top-75 NBA free agents in 2023, ranked (SB Nation)

A tweet to end the week:

Overshadowed by the frenzy of bringing in Chris Paul was Jordan Poole’s departure from the team (just a few days removed from his birthday, nonetheless). Although his time in Golden State was short, he will always be remembered for bringing a championship to the Bay as he ventures off to the bigger role in Washington that he deserves. Have a good weekend Dub Nation!