Warriors' Ideal 2023 NBA Mock Draft and Players to Target in Draft-Day Trades

You might not think a win-now team like Golden State Warriors would have a ton of interest in the upcoming 2023 NBA draft.

Think again.

This year's draft, which will take place next Thursday, looms as immensely important to the Warriors. With the league's new collective bargaining agreement punishing its biggest spenders, the need for affordable contributors has never been greater.

The Dubs have a chance to add one with the No. 19 pick, but they might be mulling a move even higher up the draft board. ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported the club is "exploring the option of acquiring a high draft pick in exchange for a young prospect such as Jonathan Kuminga."

It's possible Golden State wants that pick to beef up a potential trade offer for an established star, or it might have simply identified a prospect it values more than Kuminga, the No. 7 pick of the 2021 draft. Either way, the Warriors are a team to watch on draft night.

With that in mind, let's find the perfect mock pick for Golden State (assuming it only drafts out of its current slot) and identify two potential trade targets for that night.

Ideal Mock Draft

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 16: Kris Murray #24 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a three point basket during the first half against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

19. Kris Murray, PF, Iowa

Assuming the Dubs don't add another pick, they'll have one chance to get this right. Throw in the ticking clock attached to 35-year-old Stephen Curry, and this is a franchise that could absolutely target a high floor over upside.

Kris Murray, twin brother of Sacramento Kings swingman Keegan, could be a perfect, effortless fit.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor detailed Murray's strengths as a prospect, and they all sound like plug-and-play traits for this team. O'Connor lauded Murray's "intelligent cuts," "knockdown" spot-up perimeter shooting and ability to do "all the little things well," and he called Murray a "versatile on-ball defender capable of switching screens."

O'Connor's weaknesses for Murray are both tied to upside: his age and lack of a "dynamic handle." Again, the Warriors need a reliable, low-maintenance role player here, so neither of those negatives should bother them.

Trade Target: O.G. Anunoby

Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the 2023 Play-In Tournament at the Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)

The Warriors probably don't have enough to trade for an established star, but a package involving some combination of Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and the No. 19 pick might get them a high-end starter.

Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby would be a dream get.

He can make an argument for being the league's most versatile defender (though Draymond Green might dispute that), since he's quick enough to keep in front of guards and strong enough to bang with bigs in the post. Anunoby is more than an on-ball stopper, too. He's also a defensive playmaker, having swiped a league-best 1.9 steals this past season while tallying a career-high 50 blocks.

On offense, he can spot-up from three (career 37.5 percent), finish at the basket and contribute as a complementary creator. This past season was the first time in his six-year career that he didn't set a new personal high in points, and he only narrowly missed that mark (16.8, was 17.1 in 2021-22).

Trade Target: Dorian Finney-Smith

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Dorian Finney-Smith #28 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Warriors encountered enough issues with depth this past season that pooling (Poole-ing? Sorry.) their all of their trade assets to land a single player might not do the trick. That's especially true if the league doesn't see enough in their collection to send them a top-tier talent.

So, Golden State might be better off targeting role players who won't break the bank but could step into relatively prominent roles int he rotation.

Dorian Finney-Smith could do that. He could share the toughest defensive duties with Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green while adding decent-or-better outside shooting to the mix.

Speaking of that shooting, it's a topic for this front office to tackle. Finney-Smith was a below-average three-point shooter this past season (33.7 percent), but if it was an anomaly, maybe that just makes his trade cost more reasonable. After all, he did shoot better than 37 percent from distance in each of the previous three seasons, and he converted a career-high 76.3 percent of his free throws this past year.