Can Golden State Find Another Jordan Bell? Warriors' Top 2018 NBA Draft Targets
The Golden State Warriors know a thing or two about extracting value on draft night.
They'll need to work their talent-spotting magic again as they hold just a single selection in the 2018 talent grab, and it's only the 28th pick.
This front office changed the organization's fortune with savvy selections like Stephen Curry at No. 7 (2009), Klay Thompson at No. 11 (2011) and Draymond Green at No. 35 (2012). More recently, it has supported this now high-priced nucleus with economical additions to the rotation, be that drafting Kevon Looney 30th overall or getting both Jordan Bell and Patrick McCaw for cash considerations.
There should be cheap, usable players available again when commissioner Adam Silver puts the Dubs on the clock June 21.
By assessing team needs and prospects' potential, we have identified the top six candidates for Golden State's pick, presented in reverse order by their ranking on the big board of Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.
Grayson Allen, SG, Duke
1 of 6
Age: 22
B/R's Big Board Ranking: 37th
2017-18 Notable Numbers: 15.5 points, 4.6 assists, 2.8 threes, 37.0 three-point percentage
A polarizing player among fans, Grayson Allen should find much more support among NBA executives. He's athletic, a good shooter and potentially ready to contribute on opening night as one of the lone NCAA seniors getting first-round consideration.
He was both a focal point and a support piece over his four years at Duke, which hints at the ability to stay within himself and also lead a second unit when he has the hot hand. He had his best scoring season as a sophomore (21.6), but his final campaign featured personal bests in threes and assists.
"His game has evolved," an NBA scout told Bleacher Report's C.J. Moore. "In high school, he was basically just an athlete. Now he's kind of entered pro basketball as a shooter. His game has continued to grow over the course of a long time."
If the Dubs could live with Allen's shortcomings as a defender—switching could be tricky as he's not incredibly long or quick—they'd find he has plenty to offer otherwise.
Golden State got fewer threes from its bench than any team this season (2.0). Allen would immediately address that void, as he wasn't a top option this year and still hit four-plus triples in 13 games. The way he can pump-fake, side-step around a defender and get off his three ball makes him seem like a long-lost Splash Brother.
Allen's also more skilled than a specialist. He can slip past defenders who are overzealous with closeouts, and he works as a secondary playmaker. His upside would allow him to do a lot of what Nick Young was supposed to, only with better consistency and a lot more passing.
Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Villanova
2 of 6
Age: 21
B/R's Big Board Ranking: 32nd
2017-18 Notable Numbers: 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 60.8 true shooting percentage
Donte DiVincenzo is more than the super-sub who orchestrated an electric performance in the national title game. But that breakout was a snapshot—albeit a snapshot on adrenaline—of his NBA appeal.
His 31 points were lifted right from basketball's analytical handbook. If he wasn't burying jumpers from near Curry's range, DiVincenzo was breaking down defenders off the dribble for dunks, layups or free throws.
"You're always on your heels defensively, because you never know what he's going to do—either shoot, pull up and shoot the three or drive to the basket," Michigan's Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman said, per Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy.
In true Warriors' fashion, DiVincenzo didn't stop at only scoring. Almost every inch of the stat sheet had his fingerprints. He corralled five rebounds. He dropped three times. He twice climbed the ladder to stonewall players attacking the rim.
That's what will interest Golden State—not that he will engineer many outings like this, but that he can shape-shift into whatever is needed. He's a bouncy combo guard who can score, slash and defend multiple positions. His three ball (85 makes at a 40.1 percent clip) and pick-and-roll prowess alone would make for a smooth transition into this offense.
Jacob Evans, SG/SF, Cincinnati
3 of 6
Age: 20
B/R's Big Board Ranking: 31st
2017-18 Notable Numbers: 13.0 points, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks
One glance at Jacob Evans' scouting report suggests every team may have some interest in buying what he's selling.
"Evans is an ultraversatile player who guards all over the floor, played on and off the ball for Cincinnati and sports a career 38 percent mark from three-point territory at the college level," Jonathan Givony wrote for ESPN.com.
It's hard to imagine any franchise in today's NBA feels sufficiently stocked with shooting, defensive versatility and depth on the wings. If that organization exists, it's not based in the Bay Area.
The Warriors have three perimeter reserves signed for next season. One is Andre Iguodala, who checks opponents of all sizes but doesn't possess the surest three-point shot. Another is Shaun Livingston, who also checks the multipositional defense box but never launches from long range. The last is Quinn Cook, who can catch fire from three but has serious limitations on defense.
In other words, Evans could be a need-filler out of the gate. He looks like a plug-and-play piece of this machine already as a capable shooter, willing passer and tough, malleable stopper. He might not have the highest scoring ceiling in the draft, but it's probably safe to assume the Dubs feel OK in that department.
Tony Carr, PG, Penn State
4 of 6
Age: 20
B/R's Big Board Ranking: 30th
2017-18 Notable Numbers: 19.6 points, 5.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 43.3 three-point percentage
Tony Carr's numbers speak for themselves—for better or worse.
He flirted with a triple-double on multiple occasions, scored 25 or more points a dozen times and added 11.3 percent to his three-point conversion rate despite more than doubling his output (1.0 makes to 2.4). But he also shot a forgettable 40.8 percent overall due to a ghastly 39.5 percent mark on two-pointers.
There are ways to nitpick some of his numbers, but his tools are undeniable.
"He's got good size [6'5"] for a point guard," an NBA executive told 247Sports' Andrew Callahan. "In the NBA, you've got to cross many thresholds of physical ability before getting to his skill set, and he checks all those boxes. I like his feel for the game. He sees the floor well. I think he gets others involved and is a team player."
Carr is more crafty than explosive, which the Warriors shouldn't mind—it takes a good level of hoops smarts to master their system. He could spread the floor, potentially play on or off the ball and use his size to attack smaller defenders in the post like Livingston does. Carr isn't a lockdown defender, but his build and basketball IQ should give him some switchability at that end.
Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
5 of 6
Age: 21
B/R's Big Board Ranking: 25th
2017-18 Notable Numbers: 18.9 points, 4.6 assists, 40.8 three-point percentage, 26.1 player efficiency rating
If the Warriors want to extend their winning ways, why not add a player as decorated as they are?
In three seasons at Villanova, Jalen Brunson won two national titles and last season's national player of the year awards—all of them. His stat sheet similarly impressed across the board with a 63.5 true shooting percentage (which was actually down from 2016-17's mark of 65.5), nearly three times more assists than turnovers (1.8) and an absurdly high 130.7 offensive rating.
That said, he's less likely to impress with strengths than he would in the absence of obvious weaknesses. He's an older prospect, not particularly long or explosive, and lacks an elite burst off the bounce. But he can do just about anything inside the lines and consistently makes the right call.
"He rarely forces the issue or takes bad shots, and opposing defenses can't speed him up," The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks wrote. "He knocks down threes, drives the gaps and finds open teammates, making the right decision in Villanova head coach Jay Wright's read-and-react offense almost every time he touches the ball."
Brunson's ability to work as both a scorer and setup man should allow him to play alongside Golden State's standout subs like Iguodala and Livingston. Brunson could either be depth behind or an upgrade over Cook.
Chandler Hutchison, SF, Boise State
6 of 6
Age: 22
B/R's Big Board Ranking: 19th
2017-18 Notable Numbers: 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 25.9 PER
Is this wishful thinking? Chandler Hutchison's big-board ranking makes it appear that way. But he's rated low enough by other evaluators—26th by SI.com's Jeremy Woo, 24th in Givony's most recent mock—that it at least seems possible Hutchison falls to the Warriors.
And if he did, you might be able to hear Oakland's elation from around the globe.
As Wasserman wrote, Hutchison looks like a best-case scenario for Golden State:
"An athletic, 6'7", 20-point scorer, Hutchison would give the Warriors an interchangeable weapon capable of playing positions 2-4. At No. 28, Golden State could view him as the best player available, but he could also be used immediately behind Klay Thompson ... Likely more ready than most being 22 years old, Hutchison improved his shooting (1.5 3PTM) and playmaking (3.5 assists), though he'll still be valued most for his ability to get downhill and attack with size and agility."
The Warriors don't have a high-level reserve scorer, at least not before Iguodala ramps up to playoff levels. Young's shooting dipped during his first (maybe only) year in Golden State, Cook was a G Leaguer before he was snatched up, and the skill sets of Iguodala, Livingston and all the backup bigs feature greater strengths than point production.
Hutchison scored 1,176 points on 48.5 percent shooting over his final two campaigns at Boise State. If his three ball holds up (35.3 percent for his career, 7-of-27 his first two years), he could be the Warriors' latest rotation piece plucked from deep down the draft board.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball Reference or NBA.com.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @ZachBuckleyNBA.
