NBA Draft 2010: 5 Players Being Considered by the Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are always one of the hardest teams to figure out.

They aren’t exactly the Oakland Raiders or anything, but you never know with this franchise.

With their ownership and coaching situations currently in flux, anything could go for this unpredictable squad.

Nothing is out of the realm of possibility, as the Warriors need help across the board.

Furthermore, the unloading of Corey Maggette opens up another spot on a roster full of them.

At this point, the only player I feel Golden State will not trade is Stephen Curry, who came on very strong at the end of the season.

Monta Ellis is still there, as well. And, while he probably isn’t safe as far as trade rumors go, he is a solid player.

Also, Golden State appears to be looking for a big man. The best plan would probably be to hold onto Ellis and leave the backcourt intact.

The No. 6 pick seems to be an undesirable position in a draft that is supposed to have five elite players, so Golden State will have to either be creative or sold on their conviction of whoever stands atop their draft board after the Big Five.

Here are five directions that Golden State will likely go in the NBA Draft.

5. Trade the Pick

This isn’t a likely scenario, especially with the potential changes which the Warriors are undergoing. But, as the Maggette trade showed, the Warriors are looking to clear space and rebuild.

The optimal situation would be to dump Andris Biedrins’ (pictured getting dunked on) contract on someone who really wants to move up in the draft. That may not be likely, but it depends upon who is available.

DeMarcus Cousins figures to be the biggest name who could slip out of the top five, and Detroit is rumored to really want him.

That might not mean dumping Biedrins, but it could allow Golden State to grab Tayshaun Prince from Detroit. The Pistons don’t want to get rid of him, but it depends how badly they want Cousins (or whoever falls to this spot).

The Warriors are trying to sell people on the idea that there is some strong talent outside of the top five, so it leads people to believe that they will stand pat.

But draft smoke screens are as reliable Don Nelson’s roster changes, especially when the Warriors are involved.

Expect them to stand pat, but don’t rule out a trade at this point.

4. Demarcus Cousins

I put Cousins at No. 4 because I don’t believe he will fall this far. He is way too talented of a prospect.

But there are questions about his attitude and his work ethic (resulting in him being overweight), two things that teams tend to avoid like the plague.

And if he falls here, there is no guarantee the Warriors will select him. There are conflicting reports that the Warriors are either afraid to select him or are completely in love with him.

And as mentioned in the prior slide, he is also an enticing trade piece.

I don’t feel that Cousins will be available here, but if he is, my hunch is that Golden State will snatch him up in a heartbeat (unless an unbelievable trade comes through).

3. Al-Farouq Aminu

Aminu is a very athletic prospect, but the question is whether he would be worth the value at No. 6.

I personally do not think that he would be, but he is the kind of athletic player that could fit in at small forward with a dynamic backcourt of Curry and Ellis.

And don’t forget, the Warriors just traded Maggette. Perhaps they are opening the door for a player like Aminu to step in and fill the void.

My gut would have said, "absolutely not," a few days ago, but that trade makes you wonder.

After No. 5, the field is pretty wide open, and I don’t know if any player has absolutely distinguished himself from the rest of the field at this point.

Ultimately, I think the Warriors will opt to go with a big man, though.

2. Epke Udoh

Udoh is a long defensive presence that could provide the interior defense that every team craves.

He does not have a solid offensive game, but with Curry and Ellis in the backcourt, that may not be a necessity.

Legitimate shot-blockers are hard to come by in the NBA, and although there is no guarantee that he will develop into an elite shot-blocker, if the Warriors are looking for a defensive stalwart, Udoh may be the choice.

I feel he would be a good fit with the offensive-minded Warriors. He is also one of the players that GM Larry Riley has mentioned as a player that belongs on the next tier after the first five.

It very well could be a smokescreen, and I feel the next guy is an even better fit than Udoh.

1. Greg Monroe

Monroe is the player who most people tab for Golden State, and he is the other player Riley mentions as worthy of the No. 6 pick.

If Cousins does not fall to them, I think it would be a wise move for Golden State to select Monroe.

He doesn’t have the defensive presence of Udoh, but Monroe brings a skill set that could fit in perfectly with the Warriors.

He is a very smart player and deft passer. With Curry and Ellis in the backcourt, I feel that he could thrive passing the ball around to either of these guys.

A defensive stopper is a nice complement to these guys, but I feel an even better one is a big man who is also a skilled passer.

The only thing that may hold Monroe back is a rumor that he supposedly didn’t impress in his workout with Golden State.

Again, that may be a smokescreen.

If Cousins is off the board, which I fully expect, Monroe seems to be the most likely guy.

Guys like Patrick Patterson and Xavier Henry have also been mentioned, but I don’t feel that either of those guys are worthy of the No. 6 pick, and they are not as good of a fit as anyone on this list.

What are your thoughts on who the Warriors will pick?