2018 NBA Mock Draft: The summer is decision time
41. . F. Texas Tech. Jarrett Culver. 29. player
The Warriors’ defense needs reinforcements. Shooting, fortunately, is a skill that should age well for Golden State’s best players. But the ability to guard the league’s best young scorers, from Anthony Davis to Giannis Antetokounmpo to Donovan Mitchell, is something better left for the youth.
Golden State has done a good job mining the late first and early second rounds for pieces, and they can count Patrick McCaw and Jordan Bell as long-term pieces taken in that range. That’s a solid success rate compared with teams like the Spurs and Cavaliers, who have struggled to develop contributors at the bottom of the draft.
Defensive prospects are held at a particular level of reverie if their steal and block percentages both eclipse two. As a freshman, Culver posted a 3.2 block percentage and 2.4 steal percentage, dazzling numbers considering his age and inexperience. Somewhere very close to the surface, there is an incredible defensive prospect within Culver.
If Culver dazzles at the combine and in workouts, he’ll likely rise past the point Golden State would be able to get him. But if not, watch out. The NBA’s richest get richer.