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NBA Draft: Golden State Warriors’ 19th pick could land on another scoring guard

By Peter O'Keefe

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 23: Nick Smith Jr. #3 of the Arkansas Razorbacks is seen on the bench after exiting the game during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 23, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 23: Nick Smith Jr. #3 of the Arkansas Razorbacks is seen on the bench after exiting the game during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 23, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will hold the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to be held at Barclays Center on June 22. Given the franchise’s focus on the draft over recent years, plenty of speculation is already flying on what they could do with their first-round pick.

The likelihood is that the Warriors take what will be their fifth first-round pick over the last four drafts, though the first of those, James Wiseman, has already been traded away from the franchise.

Would the Golden State Warriors add to their glut of guards by selecting Nick Smith Jr. with the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft?

Most would suggest taking a ‘best available’ approach on draft night, but that might be different for Golden State given the plethora of guards already contracted for next season. They have at least five starting with veteran duo Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, 23-year-old Jordan Poole, defensive menace Gary Payton II, and 2022 second-round pick Ryan Rollins.

If they do take a best available stance, then the Warriors may be looking at Arkansas product Nick Smith Jr. That’s according to The Athletic’s draft guru Sam Vecenie who has the 6’5″ guard at 19 on his updated draft board.

Smith played 17 games in his freshman year with the Razorbacks, averaging 12.5 points in 25.8 minutes per game. He would shoot only 37.6% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range, with injury preventing him from showing his best throughout the season.

FanNation described Smith Jr. as “one of the most anticipated college freshman in the country this season”, and actually view him as a predicted lottery pick who holds undeniable upside for the team that selects him.

"“He has solid size for a combo guard, but it’s the nearly 6-foot-9 wingspan that makes him special from a physical standpoint. A spectacular scorer, Smith boasts a quick first step and is overall shifty with the ball. He’s got pure form and mechanics that make his shots look effortless. He’s also got great range for his age and has no problem knocking down deep triples.”"

That sounds like a Warriors-style player given they’ve made a dynasty out of the best shooting backcourt in NBA history. Whether they can afford to take another young guard, after taking Rollins in last year’s draft, is a different question.

Next. Ranking every NBA Finals MVP in Golden State Warriors history. dark

The draft is just one small piece to a big Warrior offseason, with all aspects likely to hinge on the outcome of their current postseason campaign. Golden State’s biggest issues will be re-signing former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green and general manager Bob Myers.

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