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Golden State Warriors address their defense in ESPN mock draft

By Peter O'Keefe

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Rayan Rupert of the Breakers looks to pass during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)
HOBART, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Rayan Rupert of the Breakers looks to pass during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images) /
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Having finished sixth in the Western Conference at the conclusion of the regular season, the Golden State Warriors hold the 19th overall pick heading to the NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23.

A flawed roster and lack of cohesiveness ultimately cost the 2022 NBA champions a place in the West Finals, defeated by the Los Angeles 4-2 in a hard-fought series. While the draft, and specifically the 19th pick, may not impact the Warriors in the short-term, it could still help address their needs from a roster standpoint.

The Golden State Warriors could look to address their defensive issues with the 19th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft.

The Warriors had issues against the Lakers on the defensive end, with the disparity in fouls and subsequent free-throw attempts proving pivotal. While they showed flashes of their league-best potential on that end of the floor during the regular season, they failed to produce the necessary consistency to be anything more than league average (ranked 14th).

Despite the three-point shooting that’s revolutionized the game over the last decade, Steve Kerr-led teams have always prioritized the defensive end. That’s always been centered around one of the most versatile defenders in NBA history, Draymond Green, but he could certainly do with some help.

Draymond Green guards Domantas Sabonis in the first-round series between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Draymond Green guards Domantas Sabonis in the first-round series between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images) /

In the most recent update of their 2023 mock draft, ESPN have the Warriors addressing their defensive issues by taking Rayan Rupert with the 19th pick. With a 6’7″ frame and over 7’2″ wingspan, the 19-year-old Frenchman is considered one of the best defensive prospects in the draft.

"“The Warriors’ inability to get stops in key moments hurt them against the Lakers, so a defensive-minded prospect like Rupert — who can wreak havoc all over the floor with his 7-2 wingspan and high intensity level — could be interesting at this stage of the draft”, Jonathan Givony wrote."

Rupert would want to make an impact on the defensive end because his raw offensive numbers suggest he has a way to develop on that end. In his lone season with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL, Rupert averaged 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 28 games, shooting 35% from the field and 23.4% from three-point range.

To be fair, they’re similar shooting percentages to what LaMelo Ball produced in his season in the NBL, but there wasn’t nearly the same volume with Ball averaging over ten field-goal attempts more. Averaging more turnovers than assists is also an issue for Rupert, particularly if he were to be drafted to the Warriors where high ball movement is key to their offensive system.

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With the likes of Green, Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney and Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State should have the personnel to be an elite defensive team. Yet with the futures of Green and Kuminga under some uncertainty, reinforcing that aspect with an athlete like Rupert could outweigh some offensive flaws he holds.

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