For the second consecutive year, the Golden State Warriors acquired the No. 38 overall pick in the draft, this time sending a bag of cash ($3.5 million) to Chicago.
For the second consecutive year, they may have uncovered another hidden gem before 29 other NBA teams. Last year it was Patrick McCaw. This year it’s 6-foot-9 Oregon power forward Jordan Bell.
Who knows how the rest of the roster will shake out. There are 10 different ways free agency could turn out for this team. But if the Warriors do lose David West and JaVale McGee, Steve Kerr will likely have to call on Bell early on in his career. And there are signs that the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year could blossom from the get-go.
Bell brings the most important skill Kerr asks of his players: defensive versatility. Bell can play center in a small-ball lineup or bang around with big men if he has to in the post. That’s huge. Golden State prides itself on its switching defense. Bell is talented enough to establish himself as part of that pact. From a quick look at his tape, he’s a good screen-setter, he can run in the open floor and he’s not afraid to dunk the basketball in an opponents’ eye. There’s a ton to love.
Bell is also lacking the second most important trait for a Golden State player: he can’t shoot 3s. That could limit him from ever becoming a full-fledged building block. But obviously, Myers and Kerr are trying to find role players. An explosive forward who can defend centers? An energy guy off the bench who could swing a close game with a play or two in transition? That’s worth writing a check to the Bulls for.
Speaking of that: this shrewd strategy of acquiring second round draft picks for cash is just another example of why Joe Lacob’s ‘Light Years’ phrase is terminology that refuses to die. McCaw was initially eased into the lineup but took on a much larger role when Kevin Durant went down with a leg injury on Feb. 28. It allowed the rookie to play a series-high 12 minutes in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, where he scored 6 points and took LeBron James to the rim. The Warriors projected he could be a player like this in their system. They went and got the player. That’s what championship front offices do. If Bell, McCaw and Green all play roles in the next championships, that’s three second-round picks making a difference. That’s Light Years.
If Bell pans out early in his career, he could carve out a role late in the first and third quarters as Draymond Green’s backup. It’s perfectly fine to have high expectations from a Myers draft choice. Bell is essentially about to be surrounded by Team USA in the Olympics. Both he and McCaw’s ceilings could soar in the coming years.
That’s the thing about being a rookie for the Golden State Warriors: you better be ready to play. If you aren’t, you won’t see the floor. Kevon Looney and Damian Jones each have unique circumstances. Looney was hampered by a hip injury; Jones was stuck behind a depth chart of four proven commodities at center. But had both shown signs of rapid improvement, Kerr would’ve channeled it. The Warriors don’t let any ounce of talent go to waste.
Again, it’s too early to project what type of role Bell will have in Year 1. Myers and Kerr will hope he’s effective and on the roster for the duration of his contract. Because of the salary cap limitation Durant, Draymond, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson bestow upon Myers, acquiring young players will become increasingly difficult in upcoming years. And once those young players like Bell do shatter their expectations, they go somewhere else and get paid. That’s putting the cart far too ahead of the horse at the moment, though. The Warriors hope it gets there.
McCaw surpassed expectations in Year 1. Their positions and circumstances will be different, but the new expectation for a second round pick on the Warriors is to come in and contribute.
Jordan Bell shouldn’t be a developmental project. He should give a jolt right away.