NBA Draft Lottery: What Should the Warriors Do at Each Potential Draft Spot?

If the picture isn't clear, those are lottery balls.

If the picture still isn't clear, that's because it's impossible to know where any team will end up in the NBA Draft Lottery this evening at 5 p.m. pacific time.

If the picture still remains unclear, that's because the Golden State Warriors' first-round draft pick will go to Utah, unless they finish in one of the top seven lottery spots tonight.

Let's try to bring some clarity to this.

First of all, barring a trade, the Warriors will have at least one first-round pick. Secondly, the Warriors' first overall pick will either be the first, second, third, seventh or 30th pick of the draft.

More uncertainties remain, of course. Even after the lottery is set, who do the Warriors target? Who will fall to them, who will be snatched away from them?

The picture will remain unclear until June 28, when the draft concludes, and even then it will remain unclear for a number of years if the Warriors' decision was the right one.

That being said, here's a look at what the most logical options are for Golden State at each potential draft spot.

1: Anthony Davis

I was torn between Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but passing on a potential Hall of Famer would be too Warrior-esque to risk. Get the best player.

If Andrew Bogut stays healthy and Davis becomes a star, the Warriors have trade options with Bogut. If Bogut doesn’t stay healthy, the Warriors have a post defender in Davis. If Davis doesn’t become a star, they have an athletic big off the bench to back up Lee and Bogut.

2: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Kidd-Gilchrist is the perfect fit for the Warriors as their biggest need is at small forward. He’s also very athletic, a great defender and a great finisher inside—all things the Warriors roster currently lacks.

Kidd-Gilchrist would help any NBA franchise, but may not be a better fit anywhere than he’d be in Oakland.

3: Thomas Robinson

The Warriors need a guy that will help the team next season. Andre Drummond could become a star, but he will likely take a couple of years to develop and may never do so behind Bogut.

Robinson could come off the bench and contribute right away due to his work ethic, compete level, defensive skill and size. 

7: Terrence Jones

Jones’ athleticism and ability to play both the three and the four make him an ideal fit in Oakland. If Jones proves he can start at small forward, the Warriors will have a big, athletic frontcourt that can dominate both in the halfcourt and in transition.

If Jones can’t play the three full-time, the Warriors will have an awesome backup for David Lee who can bang inside when needed and back up two positions.

30: Draymond Green

Green’s motor and strength make him someone who will, at worst, be able to come off the bench for a long time. He can be an undersized energy rebounder, a la Chuck Hayes.

At best, his supreme college rebounding numbers will translate to the NBA, and he’ll be the next Paul Millsap. Either way, he’d be an excellent value pick at the end of Round 1 should Golden State lose their lottery pick.