Players to Target If Warriors Trade Down

The Golden State Warriors reside in an envious position ahead of Wednesday's NBA draft. 

Steve Kerr's team could remain at No. 2 and select one of James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, or it could trade down to land an experienced player.

If the No. 2 pick is packaged in a trade, the Warriors could still have a first-round selection, but it would just occur later in the draft. 

If they drop to the second half of the lottery, there are a few intriguing names who have risen up draft boards and could be available. 

There is also the chance of the Warriors taking themselves out of the lottery and picking late in the first round. 

If that scenario comes to pass, Golden State could go after a more polished player with multiple years of experience at the collegiate level. 

Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State

Robert Franklin/Associated Press

If a potential Warriors draft-day trade includes them swapping picks in the top 10, they should find a way to target Florida State's Patrick Williams. 

ESPN.com's Jonathan Givony called Williams "the big winner of the pre-draft process thus far." 

If the Warriors give up the chance to possibly add Wiseman to their frontcourt, they should go after a player like Williams, who can bring some tenacity underneath the rim to partner with Draymond Green. 

One of the situations Golden State could face is figuring out how far to drop to land Williams, if it covets his frontcourt abilities. Williams has the potential to land in the second half of the top 10 to the Detroit Pistons or Washington Wizards. 

If one of the other teams slated to pick in the top six wants to jump up the draft order to land one of the top three prospects, the Warriors could entertain that offer while finding the right spot to move back to to land Williams. 

Regardless of who they pick up in the draft, the Warriors need another paint presence, which is why Wiseman would make so much sense if they stayed at No. 2. 

USC's Onyeka Okongwu is the other premier frontcourt option the Warriors could target from picks No. 6-10.

But if they want a player with a bit more defensive versatility and playmaking ability in different spots of the offense, Williams could be the ideal fit. 

Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland

Nick Wass/Associated Press

One trade possibility for the Warriors is to make a deal with one of the teams outside the lottery. 

In that situation, Golden State may be able to ask for more for the No. 2 pick, and one of those returns could be a selection in the second half of the first round. 

If the Warriors still want to bolster their frontcourt following a potential trade, Maryland's Jalen Smith seems like a good mid-round target. 

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Smith to land at No. 17 in his most-recent mock draft, while Givony placed him at No. 20. 

If Golden State trades back into the late teens, Smith could be the smart frontcourt addition to combine with whatever the Warriors receive for the No. 2 pick. 

Smith opted to return to Maryland for his sophomore season and he increased his totals in every major stat category. 

The two-year starter at Maryland averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game last season and shot 36.8 percent from three-point range. 

Smith's three-point shooting ability still needs work, but the 10 percent increase from his freshman to sophomore year from beyond the arc could intrigue the Warriors enough to develop him more in the coming years. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com