Mike Dunleavy Jr. sets expectation for Golden State Warriors’ rookies
While a blockbuster trade involving Jordan Poole and Chris Paul may have headlined Thursday’s activities for the Golden State Warriors, the franchise also acquired two new players via the 2023 NBA Draft.
Despite having projected top 10 pick Cam Whitmore available to them at pick 19, the Warriors opted to select 6’4″ guard Brandin Podziemski out of Santa Clara. They weren’t done for the night though, trading into the second-round by dealing Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the Washington Wizards in exchange for the 57th overall pick which they used on 6’9″ power-forward/center Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Golden State Warriors’ General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. doesn’t expect the franchise’s newest rookies to make a huge impact next season.
The Warriors’ draft ultimately mirrored that of their entire day, one in which they made a significant shift towards their aging core and a win-now mentality. Instead of high-upside prospects that require significant development, Golden State took two players with proven collegiate experience who may be able to contribute in the short-term.
Podziemski had two years in the collegiate system, averaging 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 43.8% shooting from three-point range with Santa Clara this season. At 23-years-old, Jackson-Davis has had a full four seasons of college experience, averaging an impressive 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.9 blocks in his senior year.
However, any thought of the pair having an immediate impact for the Warriors has been shot down by new General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. Although happy with getting two players he had significantly higher on his board, Dunleavy preached patience with Golden State’s latest rookies.
"“I would never draft anybody expecting them to play right away”, Dunleavy said after the draft. If they can play right away, great, but as far as we’re concerned, no expectation in year one. It’s unrealistic and if they do end up playing well, it’s a bonus.”"
While setting little to no expectation, Dunleavy did admit that Podziemski will ‘challenge’ the notion that he won’t garner much playing time during his rookie year. One would think that as an older rookie, Jackson-Davis may have a similar mindset.
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Despite Dunleavy trying to convince everyone otherwise, the Warriors have clearly made a concerted effort to draft two players who will be more ready-to-go than others in their rookie year. Whether they actually earn playing time is a different story, but it’s an obvious change in strategy from the Warriors in comparison to their previous three drafts.