Golden State Warriors: Top 20 Draft Picks in franchise History

Golden State Warriors: Top 20 Draft Picks in History

By Ryan Viera | Feb 2, 2017

March 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; 1975 NBA Championship Golden State Warriors team members Clifford Ray (left), Rick Barry (center), and Jamaal Wilkes (right) address the media in a press conference before the game between the Warriors and the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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16. Robert Parish

Robert Parish is better known for his Hall of Fame career with the Celtics, but many Warriors fans do not know that he was a Warrior before then. It’s where his career began and he got the chance to make a name for himself.

Parish was drafted 8th overall by Golden State in the 1976 NBA Draft and improved each of his four years with the franchise. Parish averaged 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game with the Dubs.

The Celtics traded the rights to the first overall pick in 1980 (Joe Barry Carroll) to the Warriors in exchange for Parish, and from that point forward, “The Chief” never looked back. Parish went on to win four NBA titles with Boston, earned 9 All-Star appearances and became the NBA’s all-time leader in games played (1,611).

In hindsight, this was one of the worst trades in franchise history. The thought of acquiring the No. 1 overall pick was certainly tough to pass up but they gave up one of the greats for it. It didn’t end up working out and it ultimately cost the franchise.

Still, this is one of the best draft picks they have ever made and Warriors fans won’t forget it. They’ll remember the fact they traded him when they shouldn’t have but it doesn’t change the fact it’s a good pick.

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