Golden State Warriors get the best of both worlds by trading back

If the Golden State Warriors trade back in the 2020 NBA Draft, they may be able to get the best of both worlds — a young star and a helpful veteran.

Last Thursday night, the Golden State Warriors were officially awarded the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Their only other No. 2 pick in franchise history was legendary forward Rick Barry.

However, no one is really thinking that Golden State will actually take the pick and use it. Many are assuming the Dubs will trade the pick for a player that could potentially come in and make them Finals contenders.

What player though is heavily debated, but the Warriors may not need a superstar-caliber player to take them to that next level.

All they may need is a Rudy Gay or Kelly Oubre Jr. to come in and give them that perfect complement to their small-ball lineup.

No one knows if adding a Joel Embiid or Myles Turner would even prove beneficial for the franchise, one that hasn’t had a dominant center outside of an oftentimes injured DeMarcus Cousins.

Would they fill a role that is significantly different than what Marquese Chriss is planning on doing?

That said, in a perfect world, the Warriors could trade back into the later lottery, still get their player and add that veteran as well, putting the future of their franchise in the hands of whoever they take in 2021.

Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, Obi Toppin — all these players should drop out of the top five. With teams like New York and San Antonio not in the top five and needing a star, trading back to 8 or 11 seems like an ideal move for Golden State.

While the Knicks don’t have the assets Golden State craves, the idea of that mid-to-late lottery pick is something that Golden State, who could target several players, should entertain.

Getting that pick and a veteran forward that can shoot and rebound in a small-ball lineup should be what Golden State targets. That’s the best of both worlds, and it’s something very doable for the Warriors.