3. Isaiah Stewart
Let’s make one thing clear, the Golden State Warriors will NOT be selecting Isaiah Stewart with the No. 2 overall pick. He is only on this list for the sake of having enough prospects for a reasonable ranking – but it is possible he is on the Dubs radar if they elect to trade down in the draft. Let’s see why.
Pros
Stewart is a hulk-sized center with a massive frame and 7’4″ wingspan. He is an intimidating 250 pounds and will be able to bang with the NBA’s biggest centers immediately.
At Washington, Stewart averaged 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He finished close to 60 percent of his attempts and did a solid job of controlling the paint for the Huskies. He can have a similar impact on the Warriors as a rim-running big.
Cons
Sadly, Stewart doesn’t have nearly the same upside as other centers in his class. His potential is limited as he doesn’t display any game-changing skills on the floor. At his best, he will be a high-energy player who does all of the little things – which isn’t necessarily bad for what the Warriors need next season.
Still, Stewart is going to have a steep mountain to climb in the pros. He is shorter than most centers – meaning he will need to bank on his strength to hold his own in the paint. Not to mention, he was a sub-30 percent 3-point shooter last year. His limited range will put a restriction on how successful he will be at the NBA level.