Golden State Warriors: Pros and Cons of finishing in NBA Draft Lottery

Golden State Warriors: Cons of being in NBA Draft Lottery

Losing games comes with a cost. Is it worth being a lottery team, or should the Golden State Warriors simply give it their all this season?

Already have a pick

Making the playoffs wouldn’t strip the Warriors of a high-value draft pick this year. They already have a first round pick from Minnesota in addition to their own. Considering the Wolves are dead last in the Western Conference, the Dubs could land another top-five pick while also battling in the postseason.

It should be noted that Minnesota placed a top-three protection on the pick. This means that if the selection ends up being 1-3 in the order, the Wolves would hold onto the pick for themselves. Currently, there is over a 50 percent chance of the pick landing outside of the top-three. This is a good sign for the Dubs.

Reinforces Bad Habits

The worst part of being a lottery team would be the reinforced habits that would come along with it. The Warriors are losing games for a reason and failing to fix their flaws won’t do them any good in the long run.

It’s vital that the Dubs continue to develop and teach their supporting cast how to be successful around Curry and Green. Without doing this, there won’t be much hope for a title next season anyway.

Wasted Opportunity 

Lastly, waving the white flag and tanking the season wastes an opportunity for the Dubs to pull off a stunning run to the NBA Finals. Anything is possible, especially with the strange circumstances the league is currently in. With Curry and Green playing at a high-level, shouldn’t the Warriors see how far they can go? A Cinderella story is always on the table with these stars.

Furthermore, getting some playoff experience under the belt of Wiseman, Wiggins and Oubre will be key to ensuring they are prepared for next season. Be a lottery team means wasting an opportunity to grow.