The Golden State Warriors are currently contemplating several scenarios involving the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Obviously, the easiest and simplest thing that the organization could do is keep the selection, use it on a young star, and move on. However, the prospect of a potential trade also looms.
One intriguing idea that has been brought up several times recently is the New York Knicks attempting to trade up to the Warriors’ position. This week, ESPN NBA insider Zach Lowe weighed in on the likelihood of that happening.
“Finding a trade-back scenario that nabs veteran help while reaping appropriate value for the No. 2 pick is difficult,” he wrote. “A potential package from the Knicks of No. 8, Kevin Knox II, and two Dallas first-rounders doesn’t get it done, and might not leave enough of the trade exception for another quality player. (New York has been reluctant to discuss RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, sources say.)”
It is hard to see a scenario where Golden State gives up such a high draft pick without Barrett or Robinson being involved. Especially when you factor in some of the high-level players that have been linked to a possible Warriors deal involving the pick.
As a refresher: there has been chatter of a deal involving Orlando Magic big man Nikola Vucevic, as well as one centering around Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, and of course one that would send Jrue Holiday to The Bay.
Without Barrett and Robinson, a trade with the Knicks feels like a non-starter.
Don’t worry everybody, Bronny is fine. https://t.co/1o3FyJgFZ2
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 5, 2020
If the Warriors opt to retain their selection, the team seems to have a rough idea of what they want to do with it. Stephen Curry addressed that topic during a recent interview.
“We just need talent,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s what you’re always trying to get. I think we could use some size, but for the most part it’s just trying to fill out the roster and get us as much depth as possible. I like the position that we’re in with the assets that we got and the guys coming back off of injury. I think we’ll get it right, our front office has gotten it right over and over, and I expect nothing different coming back from this tough year we had.”
Where there’s smoke there’s fire. https://t.co/7pAieM1Hfj
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 5, 2020
If size is the objective, then someone like James Wiseman out of Memphis seems like a clear choice.
A few weeks back, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke out about how important it is to get maximum value out of the team’s draft pick this year.
“We know how important this pick is,” he said. “The most important thing that’s come from [this year] is that it’s allowed all of us in the organization to watch every playoff game and realize how the league is changing, who the most talented players are, what the most effective strategies are.
The end is near. https://t.co/rO3eAL4hKO
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 4, 2020
“And then you look at the crop of players available and you go, ‘OK, who is gonna fit in to all of that?’ And we haven’t really had a chance to examine that in depth for the last five years, thankfully because, we’ve been in the (NBA) Finals. This is the first time we’ve had to really examine our own team and the league. It’s been a really, really healthy process for us.”
One way or another, the Warriors will have a tough decision to make. If a team like the Knicks, who is desperate to move up and make a splash, is unwilling to part with a player of Barrett’s caliber, then there is a decent chance the organization won’t get the sort of value for the pick that they thought they might. And in that scenario, they’ll likely just end up having to use it themselves.
Related: Are The Suns Trading Devin Booker To The Timberwolves?
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
