Whom will Warriors draft at No. 2?
NKA mock draft: Warriors are open to trading No. 2 pick, then could take Haliburton
Nearly eight months removed from their last game, the Warriors are set to embark on their most pivotal offseason of the last decade.
It starts with the No. 2 pick in today’s NBA draft, and free agency begins 48 hours after that. There’s already been a flurry of action, from Chris Paul being traded to the Suns and the Rockets on the brink of a rebuild, and the stage is set for a hectic draft night.
Here’s a look at how the lottery picks (top 14) might play out tonight, according to the Bay Area News Group’s Wes Goldberg and Dieter Kurtenbach, who rotated selections for this mock draft.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Georgia
The Timberwolves seem indecisive, so they might as well go with the safe option. Edwards is the safest bet of this draft’s top three and he fills a need for the Timberwolves, whose core is center Karl-Anthony Towns and point guard D’Angelo Russell. Add a wing and you have a clean 1-2-3.
The upside of LaMelo Ball is enticing, no doubt, but Edwards has an NBAready body and plays a position of need. Minnesota doesn’t need to overthink this — he’s the guy.
And they put Golden State in a fascinating position at No. 2.
— Kurtenbach
2. Warriors: LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks (trade with Bulls)
Ball is slotted here, but not necessarily because the Warriors will take him. With Edwards off the board, the Warriors could target James Wiseman, but there are plenty of teams reportedly interested in trading up for Ball. Teams like the Bulls (at No. 4), Pistons (at No. 7) and Knicks (at No. 8) could all move up and offer the Warriors some help in the front court. There are options later in the draft — such as Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Vassell — who would be natural fits in Golden State.
For the sake of this mock, the Warriors trade No. 2 to the Bulls for No. 4 and center Wendell Carter Jr.
— Goldberg
3. Charlotte Hornets: James Wiseman, Memphis
Phew. That’s both me and the Charlotte Hornets. I couldn’t fathom Ball being part of the Warriors, though Big Baller Brand would complete the offbrand shoe bingo card they’ve been filling out. Big fan of Wendell Carter, so I’m down with that move.
But not as much as the Hornets are down with the Warriors passing on James Wiseman. Charlotte has been making eyes at the big man for a while now. They stand pat and pick him up with a quickness.
And now I guess the Warriors are back on the clock.
— Kurtenbach
4. Chicago Bulls: Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State (trade with Warriors)
Having traded back, the Warriors take Haliburton here. As I reported this week, the Warriors are very intrigued by Haliburton,
and love his potential fit on the court and in the locker room. It’s easy to see him fitting in as the lead guard off the bench, and he has the shooting ability and versatility to play alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the backcourt.
Using the No. 2 pick to get Haliburton and Carter? Not too shabby. Devin Vassell and Deni Avdija were other options here, but Haliburton seems to be the guy who is rising the most after in-person workouts.
— Goldberg
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Cavs know exactly what they’re getting in Avdija — the team has direct ties to Maccabi Tel Aviv at the G-League level. A versatile wing who can control the floor on offense is exactly what Cleveland needs, too. He’s not the guy you make the centerpiece of their piecemeal rebuild, but he is a guy who can make those uncoordinated pieces work.
— Kurtenbach
6. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, USC
The Hawks need to improve their defense, and Okongwu not only provides an immediate upgrade, but also significant upside for a forward-looking team. Atlanta has Clint Capela and John Collins in the frontcourt, which will allow Okongwu to come along slowly. It may be crowded at the position at first, but the Hawks take the best player available now and figure the rest out later.
— Goldberg
7. Detroit Pistons: Patrick Williams, Florida State
This is a pure upside play for a team that’s stuck in the middle. When you think of a wing, you’re imagining a frame like Williams’. Remember, former Oklahoma City assistant GM Troy Weaver is in charge in Detroit now. This is the exact kind of player he likes.
— Kurtenbach
8. New York Knicks: Devin Vassell, Florida State
The Knicks have a big need on the perimeter, and Kevin Knox hasn’t been the answer. Devin Vassell and Isaac Okoro are the best wings available, but Vassell has more upside offensively.
— Goldberg
9. Washington Wizards: Isaac Okoro, Auburn
The Wizards could go in every which direction here, but again, I think they play it safe and get a solid, doit-all wing like Okoro. They could use more guys with high basketball IQ.
— Kurtenbach
10. Phoenix Suns: Obi Toppin, Dayton
With Chris Paul now running the offense, Phoenix drafts Toppin to be a pick-and-roll and pick-andpop threat. Toppin can space the floor enough to play alongside Deandre Ayton, or fill in minutes when Ayton is on the bench.
— Goldberg
11. San Antonio Spurs: Killian Hayes, Ulm (German league)
I have a hard time seeing the Spurs still being here by the time the pick is made, but if San Antonio is indeed here, they’re going to take the player with arguably the highest upside in the draft, Hayes. A French point guard — that’s worked out for the Spurs in the past, right?
— Kurtenbach
12. Sacramento Kings: RJ Hampton, New Zealand Breakers
After trading Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Bucks, Sacramento has a need for secondary playmaking on the wing. Hampton is raw, but should develop into a capable scorer big enough to play next to De’Aaron Fox.
— Goldberg
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt
The rich get richer, as Nesmith, an exceptional shooter and projectable defensive wing, lands with Zion Williamson in the Big Easy. New Orleans could go point guard here, but they have nothing but draft picks to select one of those down the line. Now’s the time to load up on wings and Nesmith is a perfect complement to what should be a prolific pick- and- roll offense in New Orleans.
— Kurtenbach
14. Boston Celtics: Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
The Celtics’ lack of depth in the frontcourt was exploited in the Eastern Conference finals, and they take a key step in addressing that here. Achiuwa is an athletic rim-roller and rebounder who doesn’t need to hold the ball very long to make an impact — and is an ideal fit on a team with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward.
— Goldberg