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Have the Golden State Warriors missed a trick with their talented rookie?

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Rudy Gay #22 of the Utah Jazz looks to drive to the basket while defended by Patrick Baldwin Jr. #7 of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 28, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Rudy Gay #22 of the Utah Jazz looks to drive to the basket while defended by Patrick Baldwin Jr. #7 of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 28, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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After being taken with the 28th pick by the reigning NBA champions, few would have expected Patrick Baldwin Jr. to have any sort of impact on the Golden State Warriors 2022-23 season. While that’s been mostly true, the small flashes we’ve seen of the 20-year-old has many fans wanting to see more.

With the Warriors returning closer to full health over recent weeks, Baldwin’s played in meaningful minutes just once over the last 17 games. In the meantime he’s been assigned to and recalled from Santa Cruz on multiple occasions, giving optimism that

Should Steve Kerr have utilized Patrick Baldwin Jr. in a more meaningful way over the last six weeks of the Golden State Warriors’ season?

In a team that needs another big, particularly one that adds some diversity from that of Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, Baldwin is an option that’s being swept under the carpet. You can understand why from Steve Kerr’s perspective — here’s another rookie who’s development cannot be prioritized over the ambition to win another championship.

But perhaps we shouldn’t pigeonhole Baldwin into the same camp of Warrior youngsters. This is someone whose career has been shaped by his basketball-coaching Dad, and the limited minutes we have seen is someone who does hold a feel and understanding for the game. The IQ and skillset is what will take him forward — aside from being 6’9″, he doesn’t possess any outstanding athletic traits.

The guy can shoot though. Baldwin’s knocking down 44.9% from three-point range on 3.1 attempts per game. That bumped up to 51.5% (17-for-33) between December 21 and January 20, a period where he got some run across eight games. The shooting itself may warrant more of a look, particular in a closer to full-strength lineup where the spacing is even greater. The defense isn’t good, but again the IQ can have him be a competent team defender, plus you’d almost always pair him in the frontcourt with Green or Looney.

Most fans were clamouring over the idea of Kevin Love when he was briefly available as a buyout. Eventually Baldwin could bring a watered down version of those same shooting, rebounding and passing elements. But even right now, are we sure he couldn’t help out for 8-10 minutes per game? It’s another question, another uncertainty that Kerr’s unwilling to explore.

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Any chance of seeing Baldwin in action for Golden State has hit another snag after a knee injury sustained in a G League game last week. But even if we don’t see him make an impact for the Warriors again over the coming month, he’s shown enough to excite fans heading into next season.

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