BIGGEST QUESTIONS AFTER FIRST QUARTER
Is Eric Paschall a building block for the Warriors, and who else fits in to their long-term plans?
It took far fewer than 23 games for the Warriors’ season to go off the rails — but here they sit at 4-19 barely a quarter of the way through.
While the team had time to rebuild after Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with the Brooklyn Nets this summer and anticipated that Klay Thompson would miss most of the season with an ACL injury, the Warriors did not expect Stephen Curry to break his hand four games into the season.
No team in the NBA has had players miss more games because of injury.
They also didn’t expect to be this bad defensively. Having replaced long and experienced defenders like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston with younger, less-seasoned players, the Warriors have had one of the worst defensive ratings in the league.
As such, the organization has shifted its expectations from a potential playoff run to player development and a likely top-five draft
pick. With these new goals in mind, it’s time to take a look at the biggest questions as the Warriors hit the three-quarter pole.
Is Paschall a building block?
The No. 41 pick in June’s draft, Eric Paschall is averaging 17.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. If that holds, he would be the first second-round pick ever to average as many points per game, and one of only 24 rookies during the modern draft era to post a similar stat line.
Paschall, 23, is old for a rookie, but uniquely fits within the Warriors’ championship window. Clearly, he was ready to play right away. While he won’t get the same scoring opportunities when Curry and Thompson are healthy, his burgeoning ability to read and react to the defense should still make for a seamless fit.
“Right now, he’s just scoring off raw talent,” Green said. “He really doesn’t know how to play the NBA game. As he figures out more and more, how to get fouled, he’ll get better and better.”
Positionally, it’ll be interesting what Golden State’s lineups look like. With Green starting at power forward, Paschall will likely come off the bench on a healthy team. He could assume the sixth man role vacated by Iguodala, entering for key stretches or when the Warriors want to go small with Green at center.
Can they sign Bowman?
Ky Bowman is on pace to reach the 45- day limit of his two-way contract in January. Once his days are up, the rest of his season will have to be spent with the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.
Since he’s become a major part of the Warriors’ rotation, they would like to find a way to convert his deal to a regular roster spot. As Steve Kerr said recently: “I want to keep him. I think we feel really strongly about that.”
The problem, however, is that the Warriors are hardcapped due to the sign-andtrade to acquire D’Angelo Russell. To sign Bowman, they would need to create room for a minimum salary.
They can waive the nonguaranteed contract of Marquese Chriss before it becomes guaranteed on Jan. 10 — right around the time Bowman will use up his eligibility — but Chriss has played well in recent weeks and, at 22, may still figure into the Warriors’ plans.
The other option is to trade a player on a minimum contract to another team. Alec Burks seems like the most logical candidate. While the Warriors have relied on Burks for shot creation, he is a free agent this summer and may be too expensive to retain.
If the Warriors don’t go in either of those directions, they could stash Bowman, 22, in Santa Cruz until March, when they will have enough room below the hard cap to sign Bowman to a prorated minimum salary into the open 15th roster spot.
Is Poole a concern?
Jordan Poole, the 20-yearold rookie guard the Warriors selected with the No. 28 pick, has struggled.
Among players who have attempted at least 10 field goals per game this season, Poole is last in the league in field goal percentage (27.1) and points per game (9.0). While he has shown progress defensively and as a passer, being rushed into the big leagues hasn’t necessarily expedited his development.
His shot is wild. Even his misses aren’t consistent — clanging off the back rim or side of the backboard, or sailing wide left or wide right.
However, all things considered, it’s too early to worry about Poole. The game is slowing down for him, he’s flashed the ability to anticipate passing lanes and deliver the ball to teammates with accuracy. He’s come a long way defensively. With Jacob Evans ready to return, Poole may be shipped to Santa Cruz.
Poole being two years younger than Bowman and three years younger than Paschall, it’s fair to anticipate a steeper learning curve, even if he was drafted ahead of them. Players are drafted for potential more than their ability to contribute right away.
Who fits with the big three?
While the rookies all figure to be part of the team next season, other newcomers could be doing enough to stick around. Forward Omari Spellman has seemingly turned around his career. He got into shape, fixed his jumper and has picked Green’s brain in an attempt to become a smarter defender.
Glenn Robinson III, the only Warriors player to start in all 21 games this season, is also making a case to be a long-term piece. Robinson is shooting 39.4% on 3-pointers and plays well in transition, reading the floor well and knowing when to cut to the rim or sprint to the corner.
Defensively, he’s often been tasked with guarding the top opposing perimeter player this season. With a healthy Thompson, that won’t be the case, and he should be even better against second or third threats.
Is there a trade to be made?
It’s highly unlikely the Warriors make a major move before Curry and Thompson return. Meaning: don’t count on a Russell trade midseason. However, like Burks, center Willie Cauley- Stein could be trade bait for a playoff team in need of size.
The Warriors have only one second-round pick in the next seven drafts. Burks and Cauley-Stein could at least fetch a second-round pick in return.
Considering how well the Warriors have done with late picks, it makes sense to acquire more. The advantage of being a lottery-bound team is that they can sell spare parts as opposed to having to hold on to them for a deep playoff run.
Can they get the No. 1 pick?
If the draft lottery was held today, the Warriors would have a 14% chance of landing the No. 1 pick and a 52.1% chance of getting a top-four selection. As long as they finish with one of the worst three records in the league, they will maintain those odds.
Bob Myers already took a trip to scout Memphis center James Wiseman, and he’s expected to take a scouting trip to New Zealand soon to look at RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball.
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz, the top three prospects in the draft are Ball, Georgia guard Anthony Edwards and Wiseman. North Carolina guard Cole Anthony and Hampton round out the top five. While the draft is topheavy with guard talent, there are few things in the league more valuable than a No. 1 pick.
The Warriors could draft the best player available and groom the next face of the franchise, or trade the pick for an All- Star level contributor who can help win a title within the next three or four seasons.
Regardless of what they decide to do with the pick, it would be a good consolation prize after a challenging season.