Should the Golden State Warriors Look To Acquire A Draft Pick?
By Mike Dill
Feb 5, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) controls the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Most NBA fans are excited as the 2013 Draft looms, but those supporting the Golden State Warriors may be feeling left out. The Warriors do not have any picks in the draft. Their first-round pick made its way to the Utah Jazz due to a few trades, and the second- round pick was sent to the New York Knicks when they acquired David Lee (the Orlando Magic now own the pick).
Obtaining a draft pick is always a possibility, especially if there is a player the Warriors are particularly fond of. However, with the current state of the team, it would be smart for the Warriors to stay away from the players in this draft.
Teams can never have enough young talent, but the Warriors should be happy with the four rookies they picked up last year: Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, Draymond Green, and Kent Bazemore. Barnes was simply too good not to start, and Ezeli received plenty of playing time due to injuries. Green showed more hustle than anyone on the team and really showed his worth in the playoffs. Bazemore was largely a fan favorite, but his length and defense helped the Warriors get some important stops.
Mar 8, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) rebounds the ball in front of Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) in the second quarter at ORACLE arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
A draft is usually considered a success when one or two players impact a team, but the Warriors were lucky to find four. That alone makes up for missing out on this draft.
The Warriors also drafted Ognjen Kuzmić last year. He hasn’t been a part of the team, but he will play in the Summer League this July. If fans want another player to pay attention to, he might pique their interest.
Another good reason to stay away from the 2013 draft is the quality of the players. Many consider this to be a weak draft; there aren’t many players that scream “future All-Star.” Trading into the draft to get a great player is one thing, but doing so for a player with question marks just isn’t a smart move.
It is also important to think of what the Warriors would have to give up for a shot at a pick in this draft. Golden State has plenty of young talent, but trading someone like Barnes or Klay Thompson would open more holes than it would close. Giving up Ezeli or Green wouldn’t be enough to bring in a high draft pick; trading role players for role players doesn’t make sense either.
The only players on the Warriors’ roster worth getting rid of are Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson – two players with bloated contracts.
The Warriors should always be open to hearing what other teams have to say, as there is no harm in listening to an offer. But they should feel very comfortable with the players currently on the roster. The team just made the playoffs, so change isn’t necessary.