Golden State Warriors NBA Draft: Top 5 prospects to target

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears celebrates on the court after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears celebrates on the court after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Golden State Warriors NBA Draft (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors NBA Draft (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors NBA Draft target: Jaden Springer

Jaden Springer likely won’t be taken until later in the NBA Draft Lottery, meaning he is a prospect the Golden State Warriors might target with their own first round pick.

Pros

Springer has a quick first step and some crafty finishing skills around the rim. He isn’t elite at attacking the basket but it is certainly something that can become a strength of his. Where Springer is at his best is shooting the ball, clipping over 40 percent of his 3-point attempts this season on decent volume. Springer is also a sound decision-maker when he has the defense on its heels. He only averaged 2.9 assists but proved to be a quality passer when he is able to penetrate into the paint.

Cons

There isn’t much high-end athleticism in Springer’s game. He ranks mostly as an average finisher and has room to prove he can shoot the 3-pointer at a high enough rate to make him a real threat at the NBA level. His handle is also a bit limited, reducing his ability to put pressure on his defender.

Best Role

Springer isn’t the most ideal fit for Golden State due to the rise of Jordan Poole. He mostly fills the same role as Poole, though potentially serving as a much better defender than JP. Springer’s best role with the Dubs would be sharing the backcourt with Poole as another floor-spacer and creator on the bench.