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Golden State Warriors: Battle to backup Draymond Green will get messy

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Draymond Green #23 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on during Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Draymond Green #23 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on during Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have numerous power forwards, and minutes behind Draymond Green will be difficult to secure.

There will be at least four power forwards on the Golden State Warriors. We know Draymond Green, a three-time All-Star and the emotional leader of the championship-contending team, will be the starter.

Who is behind him though?

It’ll be a three-way battle. Second-round picks Alen Smailagić and Eric Paschall will both haves claims.

Paschall is more of a Draymond Green-esque talent. He plays well with the ball in his hands, and he’s a solid distributor on the offensive end. At Villanova, he also showcased an ability to shoot from deep, something missing from Green’s game last season.

Paschall played just one game in the Las Vegas Summer League. During that game, he put up 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. That’s exactly what Golden State wants from him this season if he gets high-volume minutes.

Warriors’ G-League star Alen Smailagić will find his bread-and-butter by just consistently running the floor. During the summer league, he was a solid finisher in transition and proved that he could make a name for himself with his hustle.

The third option for the Warriors is Omari Spellman, a player they brought in from the Atlanta Hawks. They dealt away Damian Jones in order to continue their spending spree, but with the roster just about set, Spellman’s addition is still mind-boggling.

Will he get solid minutes?

The 6-foot-9 big man didn’t showcase too much potential during his rookie season, but it should be enough to get him the backup role right out of the gate. After all, he will be the only one behind Green with actual NBA experience.

During his rookie season, Spellman averaged 5.9 points on a rather inefficient 40.2% shooting. Oddly enough, he also shot over 50% of his shots from downtown. For Golden State that may be a good sign, but he shot just 34.4% on those threes.

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That said, Spellman should get the nod to start, but the two rookies will certainly have something to say about it if he doesn’t produce.

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