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Emoni Bates is on Golden State Warriors’ 2021 NBA Draft radar

By Tony Pesta

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 10: Golden State Warriors General Manager, Bob Myers, is interviewed after a game against the Toronto Raptors after Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cole Burston/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 10: Golden State Warriors General Manager, Bob Myers, is interviewed after a game against the Toronto Raptors after Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cole Burston/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It’s never too early to look ahead to the 2021 NBA Draft. Here is why the Golden State Warriors should be enamored with Emoni Bates.

Every blog on Earth has talked at lengths about the different prospects the Golden State Warriors could select with their upcoming NBA Draft pick. Few have acknowledged the possibility of landing a truly game-changing player in Emoni Bates next year.

Unless something drastic happens, the Warriors won’t be the worst team in the league again next season. Nonetheless, they will still have a chance to select in the lottery as they acquired Minnesota’s 2021 first round pick. The Timberwolves have a nice young core but don’t appear to have enough talent to climb out of a stacked Western Conference.

This leads us to assume the Wolves will miss the playoffs again next season and end up back in the lottery. As the NBA has flattened the odds across each team, there is an increased chance the Dubs could luck out and secure the top pick next year.

In this case, it’s almost certain the Warriors would jump on the opportunity to draft Bates. The 16-year old has drawn major comparisons to Kevin Durant and could be eligible to enter the 2021 NBA Draft if the league chooses to allow high school players to skip college once again. This is a proposal many think Adam Silver will be in favor of by next year.

Bates averaged an absurd 33.1 points and 9.1 rebounds this season. He has a silky smooth jump shot and incredible handles for a player of his size. His physical build is remarkably similar to KD and his offensive game is as polished as it can be for a player of his age.

One thing standing in the Warriors’ way is the fact that Bates reportedly verbally committed to joining Michigan State. However, it’s entirely possible he reclassifies for the 2021 NBA Draft.  There are obviously many factors that could hold Bates back from falling to the Dubs next season but the idea of Bates being the future of the franchise is intriguing, to say the least.

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