The Golden State Warriors may regret passing on Bol Bol

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: Bol Bol is interviewed after being drafted by the Miami Heat during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ryan McGilloway/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: Bol Bol is interviewed after being drafted by the Miami Heat during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ryan McGilloway/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Warriors

There is no such thing as a safe pick in the draft. Your blue-chip prospect could tear something important on opening night, and would never be the same again. Risk is always an element in order to gain a reward.

With Jordan Poole, Alen Smailagic and Eric Paschall, the Warriors certainly could have done worse. Each pick made sense in its own individual manner, and in a draft that was crucial to GM Bob Myers in attempting to alleviate the depth crisis, the front office will be content with the talent that they have chosen to cultivate.

But Bol Bol was still on the board at #41…

Going into this past college season, the son of Warriors alumni Manute Bol was a legitimate top-five prospect. Standing 7’3” with a handle and an already-developed three-point shot, accompanied with a level of athleticism that should be illegal with his size, the only red flag surrounding him was the constant risk of injury, as Chris Fedor reported on draft night.

Bol only played nine games for the Ducks this season, as his freshman year was derailed by a foot injury – usually a mark of damaged goods when discussing a man of such height. But his production in those nine games… my goodness.