2020 NBA Draft: 3 prospects the Golden State Warriors should avoid

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 30: LaMelo Ball of the Hawks during warm up prior to the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 30: LaMelo Ball of the Hawks during warm up prior to the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /

Onyeka Okongwu

The Golden State Warriors have one center on their mind, James Wiseman. The second top center in the draft is USC’s Onyeka Okongwu.

Listed as a 6-foot-9 forward, Okongwu will likely slide into the NBA as the perfect small-ball center. Leaving after one season, Okongwu put on a show at USC, averaging 16.2 points on 62% shooting.

Having the film and seeing what Okongwu brings to take the table is a critical benefit that should improve his draft position. For the big man, he’s drawing comparisons to Bam Adebayo or a more offensively gifted Tristan Thompson.

While both of those would be solid turnouts, the Warriors are either looking for the next Rudy Gobert or Anthony Davis in Wiseman who will likely offer a much higher ceiling defensively. Okongwu is currently projected to be a top-five pick according to CBS Sports.

However, in that same mock, both Wiseman and power forward Obi Toppin are selected ahead of him. He’d be a solid trade back option, but with a top-five pick, the Warriors should look elsewhere.