Who Golden State Warriors Should Target in 2015 NBA Draft
Despite what their 67-15 regular-season record may imply, the Golden State Warriors aren’t perfect. No team is. There’s always room for improvement; whether it’s adding that last key piece to the starting five or bolstering the second unit, moves can always be made to make a team better than it was the year before. But given Golden State’s current financial situation, the Warriors will likely look to add talent via the draft.
For the next couple of years, team owner Joe Lacob’s books will be clogged. Even with the projected salary-cap jump starting in 2015-16—which NBA collective bargaining agreement guru Larry Coon projects to be around $66.5 million with an $81 million luxury-tax threshold—the Warriors won’t be in the market to sign another impactful piece after they’re done taking care of the guys they already have.
Draymond Green, a restricted free agent this summer, will almost surely command a max contract on the open market and, if that’s the case and the Warriors retain him, Golden State would have two such players making the maximum salary (Klay Thompson being the other).
In addition to Green, Marreese Speights and Brandon Rush both have player options for next season, and although small, they count just the same. And, like Green, surprise bench contributor Justin Holiday will also be entering the summer months in restricted free agency.
The Warriors will have to use their first-round draft choice wisely. but there is plenty of talent to be had with the No. 30 overall pick.
Kansas’ Cliff Alexander is someone general manager Bob Myers should keep in mind.
Although the freshman forward sat out the entire NCAA tournament, as well as a few weeks at the end of the regular season, he still has a lot of untapped potential. With raw offensive skills, Alexander wasn’t a great fit in Bill Self’s equal-opportunity offense, and his inconsistent minutes never allowed the big man to find a rhythm.
But Alexander has both the athleticism and strength to serve as a spark plug off the bench in the NBA. The 16 points and 12 rebounds he averaged per 40 minutes in 2014-15 are a positive sign of what Alexander is capable of. Just don’t expect him to put up those kinds of numbers at the next level, though, at least not right away.
If the one-time Jayhawk can develop a respectable mid-range jumper, then comparing him to a guy like Brandon Bass seems appropriate—someone who can give you eight to 10 points and five to seven boards a night off the pine while occasionally filling in as a starter from time to time.
Should Golden State decide to go in another direction, though, don’t be surprised if Boston College’s Olivier Hanlan garners some interest. Hanlan, who DraftExpress has going No. 51 overall in its latest mock draft, was quietly one of the better scorers in the country during his time spent with the Eagles, averaging 17.8 points on 45 percent shooting from the floor and 36 percent from downtown for his career.
The Canadian native also improved as a facilitator with each passing year in Chestnut Hill, tallying 2.3 dimes per game his freshman year and finishing his junior year with a solid 4.2 per night.
What would potentially make Hanlan so attractive is his ability to play both on and off the ball, possibly allowing him to take the floor next to either Stephen Curry or Thompson. At 6’4”, the combo guard has the height to defend both positions but could afford to put on some muscle, as he weighs just 190 pounds.
With no clear-cut scoring option off the bench, Golden State could certainly use what Hanlan brings to the table on that end of the floor.
Tim MacLean is a Featured Columnist for the Golden State Warriors here at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
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