Golden State Warriors make one more stunning move on hectic draft day
If the Golden State Warriors haven’t made enough moves on an already hectic draft day, they’ve slipped in another at the pointy end of the NBA Draft.
As part of the deal that sees the Warriors acquire Chris Paul in a package centered around Jordan Poole, the franchise has also dealt Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the Wizards for the 57th overall pick. Golden State have used that selection to draft Trayce Jackson-Davis out of Indiana, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Golden State Warriors have made another stunning move on draft day, one that solidifies their intent to focus on the present.
The deal should see the end of a huge day for the Warriors that began with the blockbuster Poole-Paul trade, before they drafted guard Brandin Podziemski with the 19th overall pick. While some fans will lament the loss of Baldwin who showed promising signs in his rookie season, it’s another indication of the Warriors intent to upgrade their short-term situation.
As pointed out by The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors are essentially switching Baldwin for Jackson-Davis with the thought that the latter, at 23 years of age and with four years of college experience, can become a rotational player at a quicker rate.
It’s also a cost-cutting move for Golden State who will now take on the cheaper second-round contract of Jackson-Davis, rather than committing to Baldwin’s slightly increased $2.3 million deal in 2023-24.
Jackson-Davis could also attend to the Warriors need for rotational pieces in the front-court, with the 6’9″ power-forward/center averaging 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and four assists in his senior year with the Indiana Hoosiers.
Baldwin averaged 7.3 minutes across 31 games in his lone year with the Warriors, showing some upside as a perimeter shooting threat at 6’9″. He averaged 3.9 points and 1.3 rebounds on an impressive 38.1% shooting from three-point range.
Next. 3 Golden State Warriors most affected by shocking Jordan Poole-Chris Paul trade. dark
The finalized deal for Paul and Jackson-Davis should result as Poole, Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, a 2027 second-round pick, and a top 20 protected first-round pick in 2030. Only time will tell if Mike Dunleavy Jr. is set on making more franchise-altering trade manoeuvers, or whether the Warriors will now focus their sights on free agency.