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Warriors: Trading the team’s top pick makes too much sense

By Nathan Beighle

RICHMOND, VA - JANUARY 25: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers celebrates a shot in the first half during a game against the Richmond Spiders at Robins Center on January 25, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA - JANUARY 25: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers celebrates a shot in the first half during a game against the Richmond Spiders at Robins Center on January 25, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have a guaranteed top-five pick in 2020, and they should, at the very least, trade back in the draft.

With a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick, around a 40% at a top-three pick, and a guaranteed top-five pick, the Golden State Warriors should consider trading their 2020 first-round pick, and they’ve already noted that they’ll look into any deal that comes their way.

However, while they shouldn’t just give it away, the Warriors should certainly take the best offer available.

The top-tier talent just isn’t there.

While LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards could turn into superstars, their low floor makes them quite the risk. Late-lottery players like Killian Hayes, Tyrese Maxey, or potentially even Obi Toppin would all be similar fits in Golden State and provide arguably just as high of ceilings.

While trading down makes sense, trading to the 2021 lottery, where they may then have two lottery selections already possessing the Timberwolves 2021 pick, also makes sense given the depth that’s expected to come out college next season.

The Warriors don’t need the young talent right now either. While a James Wiseman-like player wouldn’t make them a worse team and would solve a pretty large hole, it wouldn’t push them into being the Finals favorite next season.

With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all on the verge of exiting their primes, the Warriors could trade back until that talent would actually be given solid minutes at the highest level.

That said, there should be a few teams that would overpay for the Warriors top pick. The Knicks, Cavaliers, Magic, Kings should all be among teams that may view their next star as one of these projected top-three picks.

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While we don’t know the value of the pick quite yet, it’d be nice to trade back into the lottery while also securing another future first-round pick. If that deal becomes available and the Warriors aren’t extremely enamored with a prospect, they should take it without a second thought.

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