At the end of a 2019-20 season that saw them record the worst NBA 15-50 record, the five-time reigning Western Conference Champion Golden State Warriors boasts the # 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
We previously focused on speculation that CEO Bob Myers and Co. might be looking to conclude a trade as a way to add to the two greats of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Now it appears that this is the belief within the NBA world.
Unanimous belief that the Warriors will seek to trade the # 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft
“People across the league are unanimous that the Warriors will do their best to make a trade,” ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently noted.
This really shouldn’t come as a surprise. Despite their struggles last season, the Warriors can still be seen as high-end title contenders in the West. Remember, Stephen Curry played in just five games while Klay Thompson lost the entire 2019-20 season to a torn ACL.
How could a draft day deal be for the Warriors?
The 2020 NBA Draft is seen as one of the weakest in modern history. Comparing experts from across the league, the belief is that there are three potential cornerstones of the high-end franchise. That list is made up of former Georgia guard Anthony Edwards, the well-known LaMelo Ball, and the great man James Wiseman of Memphis.
Related: Prediction of the top 10 picks in the 2020 NBA Draft
If this is indeed the case, other teams may actually pay a premium for moving up one of the top three players. Furthermore, it would not be a surprise if the Minnesota Timberwolves, choosing the overall number 1, tried to complete a trade.
As for the Warriors, they have the resources to make commercial success. This includes pick # 2 this year and the Timberwolves’ first unsecured pick in the 2021 NBA Draft resulting from the Andrew Wiggins-D’Angelo Russell swap.
Golden State also boasts a $ 17.2 million trade exception from the deal with Andre Iguodala last summer. Combine these assets with Wiggins’ contract and there’s a chance Golden State will add a third star to partner with Thompson and Curry. It is obvious that this is what the team is trying to do.
In terms of potential targets, there’s a highly unlikely chance in that of the reigning NBA MVP.
