The Warriors love the NBA Draft, and for good reason – it’s treated them quite well in constructing the current roster. Six current Warriors were drafted by the team, including stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. The days of drafting lottery players and hoping they’ll turn into studs, however, have passed for Golden State.
At this point, the Dubs are looking more for players like the ones they’ve drafted in the past two seasons – Kevon Looney, Damian Jones and Patrick McCaw. Of the three, McCaw has undoubtedly been the most successful. The rookie averaged 4 points per game this season and scored six points to go along with three rebounds in Monday’s Finals-clinching win. And he wasn’t even drafted with a pick the Warriors were supposed to have.
After taking Jones with the 30th pick last season, Bob Myers decided he wanted another shot at finding a potential role player and traded cash considerations to the Bucks for the 38th pick, with which McCaw was selected. Essentially, the Warriors bought the right to draft McCaw. They’ve purchased second round picks in years past, and it appears they’ll attempt to do the same this season.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe wrote in an article after Golden State’s championship victory that the team is looking to buy into this draft despite owning no picks currently. In fact, they’ve traded away each of their next three second round picks. Drafting cheap and controllable players will be key as the contracts of their four superstars continue to skyrocket. McCaw played a role this year, but if the well of ring-chasing veterans ever dries up for the Warriors for whatever reason, getting even more youngsters who can contribute quickly will become more paramount.
In this offseason alone, key players like Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Zaza Pachulia, David West, JaVale McGee and more will all be free agents. Sure, some may choose to come back and continue building the dynasty, but guys like McGee and Ian Clark have prime chances to go get far more money elsewhere. If they do, drafting the next McCaw next Thursday night could be key in developing a sustainable bench for the future.