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Warriors Draft: Lack of elite talent should lead Dubs to trading pick

By Nathan Beighle

ATHENS, GA - JANUARY 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a three point basket during the first half of a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Stegeman Coliseum on January 15, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - JANUARY 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a three point basket during the first half of a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Stegeman Coliseum on January 15, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are open to trading their 2020 first-round pick and the overarching reason behind that is the lack of elite talent.

If you were to ask the New Orleans Pelicans last offseason the value of their pick, it’d cost a list of assets so long we couldn’t fit it on this page. Well, for the Warriors this season, that’s certainly not the case.

The reason why is the 2019 draft has generational talent. Even Ja Morant, who went No. 2 overall, is considered a future star. Zion Williamson, the easy No. 1 overall selection, was a superstar before he even played a single game in the NBA.

In this draft, that high-level talent just isn’t there.

Yes, there is talent.

Anthony Edwards could be a superstar. He has the ability to score at will, and he showed that during his one season at Georgia. However, with an inefficient playstyle, both Edwards and LaMelo Ball have notably low floors and a solid chance of never reaching their peak.

There is a quintessential fit for Golden State.

James Wiseman could come in and be the player they need on the defensive end to take their rim protection to a commendable level. They haven’t had a dominant center for the entirety of the dynasty unless you could the hobbling DeMarcus Cousins last season.

Even Wiseman, a seven-foot center from Memphis, doesn’t seem to have the offensive ceiling that most No. 1 picks do. Killian Hayes will be another name to note along with Obi Toppin. Yet, at the end of the day, it’ll be about which team views this draft has its franchise player.

That team will be the one willing to give Golden State the true value fo the pick, assuming they’re granted the No. 1 overall selection. Even with a lottery win and no real-value trade, the Warriors may look to deal the pick.

In truth, they should want the future assets more than locking up a player they aren’t crazy about. With contradicting reports out there as to who is atop the Warriors big board, the lack of certainty should lead fans even further onto the side of dealing the pick.

With a list of players they could bring in to return to Finals contention, the Warriors will ultimately do what’s best for the team’s future, and that could be biting the bullet and using the pick.

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However, it seems ideal that they end up trading it for at least a future first-round pick.

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