2018 NBA Mock Draft: What do playoff teams need?

Thinking about Golden State’s priorities in this year’s draft, I couldn’t help but return to the same question constantly throughout the season: Why has Golden State continued to draft big men when their biggest strength is playing small, with Draymond Green at center?

I think part of it is resource allocation. There is only so much money to go around, and unless another veteran big sacrifices money to play with the two-time champions like David West and Zaza Pachulia have, it makes sense to try and plug that hole with a cheaper option. One other answer may be that it is simply more difficult for guards to learn and be valuable in the Warriors’ system.

Not every player can screen and move off the ball like Golden State’s shooters, and even those guys didn’t perfect the system overnight. Young players coming out of college have almost never been involved in an offense that asks so much of them away from the ball, and even fewer are comfortable with the constant switching the Warriors do when they amp up their defense.

Pat McCaw was a special case given his defensive intensity coming out of college, but he regressed this year and couldn’t always find ample playing time. It’s tough to find someone who fits, but Milton’s overall versatility on both ends makes him worth the risk for Golden State.