ROLE PLAYER
Warriors pick Michigan’s Poole, who could be key piece, adding depth and outside shooting
OAKLAND » The Warriors selected a player that could have a significant role in determining the team’s playoff fortunes next season.
The Warriors picked Michigan sophomore swingman Jordan Poole at No. 28 in the NBA draft on Thursday, giving the team some needed wing depth and outside shooting. Beforehand, Warriors general manager Bob Myers had said he hopes the No. 28 pick will play “big minutes” because of the team’s uncertain roster.
Whether Kevin Durant re-signs with the Warriors or leaves as a free agent, he is expected to sit out for all of next season after having surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon. The Warriors and Klay Thompson are expected to agree to a max contract, but he could stay sidelined for at least half of next season because of a torn ACL in his left knee.
As for Poole, he doubled his scoring output his sophomore season (12.8), while tying for 11th in the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game (2.0). He also shot 36.9 percent from deep. Poole became known for hitting a game-winning 3 in Michigan’s Sweet 16 win over Houston in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Talent evaluators were also impressed with Poole’s scoring versatility. He also shot well from the free-throw line as a freshman (83.3 percent) and sophomore (82.7 percent).
Myers had insisted the Warriors would follow the old-adage in selecting the best player available. It became clear, though, that the Warriors considered it a top priority boost their secondary scoring.
In the second round, the Warriors se
lected Villanova senior forward Eric Paschall at No. 41 shortly after acquiring Alen Smailagic from the New Orleans Pelicans after he was selected at No. 39. They worked a draft- day trade with the Hawks to add that 41st pick.
Paschall helps the Warriors with, frontcourt depth, 3-point shooting and positional versatility after ranking second on Villanova in scoring (16.5 points per game) and first in rebounding (6.1). He also shot 44.7 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from 3.
The Warriors were already familiar with Smailagic after he played last season for their G-League team in Santa Cruz. At a listed 6-foot-10 and 218 pounds, the 18-year- old Serbian big man averaged 9.1 rebounds and 4.0 rebounds in 17.4 minutes.
The Warriors found Poole to be a better option than USC freshman shooting guard Kevin Porter, whom the Milwaukee Bucks selected at No. 30. NBA talent evaluators had likened Porter to a younger James Harden, but questions may have lingered on Porter’s health and character after missing a combined 10 games last season because of a quad injury and a suspension. As for Poole, a bio sheet on Michigan’s website described him as “charismatic individual.”
The sheet added that Poole is “known for bench celebrations and easy-going demeanor.” Poole might need it considering Draymond Green attended a rival school in Michigan State.
Nonetheless, Poole will be expected to have a significant role off the bench and possibly even as a starter. Beyond the injuries to Durant and Thompson, the Warriors want to handle Green, Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala with care.
The Warriors also have a handful of other pending free agents, including DeMarcus Cousins, Kevon Looney, Jordan Bell, Quinn Cook, Jonas Jerebko and Andrew Bogut. Shaun Livingston is expected to retire following a 15-year NBA career. That could leave the Warriors with only five players under contract for next season before the draft, including Stephen Curry, Green, Iguodala, Damian Jones and Alfonzo McKinnie.
• Stanford wing KZ Okpala was the second pick of the second round by the Miami Heat. Okpala averaged 16.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season.