7 Times the Golden State Warriors missed on a superstar in the NBA Draft

By Tony Pesta | Apr 12, 2020

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1984: Head coach K.C. Jones of the Boston Celtics looks on with Larry Bird #33 against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1984 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Jones coached the Celtics from 1983-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Kawhi Leonard

The man who halted the Golden State Warriors chance at a three-peat, Kawhi Leonard, could just as easily have been the one leading them to endless championships.

Plenty of teams made the mistake of passing on Leonard in the 2011 NBA Draft. Afterall Leonard wasn’t selected until after the 14 lottery picks were made. The Warriors shouldn’t hang their heads too low for missing on the future two-time Finals MVP as even the most generous pre-draft analysis couldn’t have predicted him becoming the player he is today.

Before being drafted, Leonard was a gritty defender with strong athletic ability. However, he was dubbed a bad shooter and a limited offensive talent. Only through a relentless work ethic did Leonard burst into the cyborg scoring machine he is today.

Leonard is an otherworldy two-way player and quickly on pace to become one of the league’s all-time greats.

Like every other team, the Warriors had no way of knowing Leonard would make the jump into such an incredible basketball player. Luckily, the Dubs still wound up with a star of their own in 2011, selecting Klay Thompson with the 11th pick.

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