Warriors Reportedly Won't Consider Jared Sullinger Due to Reported Back Issues

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly no longer interested in drafting Jared Sullinger, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News.

"

No surprise: The medical red flag on Jared Sulllinger means GSWs are not considering him for #7 pick. They weren't that high on him anyway.

—Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 20, 2012"

ESPN’s Chad Ford found that NBA doctors have red flagged the Ohio State prospect because of back problems that were revealed at the combine last week.

Teams across the league were issued a report on his health, and many believe that this medical issue could shorten the length of Sullinger’s prospective career.

The prospect's father, Satch Sullinger, believes it is of no issue and told ESPN’s Andy Katz that it is just a “bulging area that was due to his hamstrings and quads being so tight.”

Sullinger is quickly slipping down big boards and could become a major value–but only if his back holds up.

Obviously, the Warriors believe the sophomore PF’s back may be a problem and are going to avoid him at all costs. It wasn’t likely that Golden State was going to select the big man anyway.

The organization added a defensive-minded center in Andrew Bogut at the deadline in March and owes David Lee a lot of money to play PF. Sullinger wouldn’t have seen the court much, even though he’s got plenty of experience and an NBA-ready game in the post.

Since the W’s traded away Monta Ellis in exchange for Bogut and Stephen Curry’s ankle is still iffy, there is a good chance they will draft a guard with the No. 7 pick in the 2012 draft.

There are plenty of solid prospects available, including Austin Rivers, Dion Waiters, Jeremy Lamb and Damian Lillard who all have shown the propensity to handle the rock and play off the ball when necessary.

It should come as no surprise that Sullinger is no longer an option for the Warriors, as he likely never should have been in the running in the first place.