Fansided

2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets get an F

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CRUZ, CA – MARCH 15: Alen Smailagic #9 of the Santa Cruz Warriors dribbles the ball against the Austin Spurs on March 15, 2019 at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA CRUZ, CA – MARCH 15: Alen Smailagic #9 of the Santa Cruz Warriors dribbles the ball against the Austin Spurs on March 15, 2019 at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Golden State Warriors – C

28th Overall – Jordan Poole, Guard (Michigan)

39th Overall – Alen Smailagic, Center (Santa Cruz Warriors)

41st Overall – Eric Paschall, Forward (Villanova)

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. After beginning the 2018-19 season as locks to complete the first three-pearl in the NBA since the Shaq and Kobe Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors fell short losing the 2019 NBA Finals to the Toronto Raptors in six games. Devastating injuries to Kevin Durant (torn Achilles) and Klay Thompson (torn ACL) exposed the Warriors lack of depth against one of the deepest teams in the NBA in Toronto. Though Thompson is likely to return on a max deal, Durant’s status going forward is more unclear. Even if both did return Golden State needed to find players that could play a valuable role on a team with multiple superstars.

In the first round, the team opted to target shooting and they got one of the best shooters the draft had by taking Jordan Poole with the 28th overall selection. At Michigan, Poole’s shooting quickly got him on to the court. Under Beilein’s developmental plan Poole came back as a sophomore and showed that he was more than just a shooter. He made plays with the ball and was one of the team’s best creators out of the pick-and-roll. With Thompson likely out until the All-Star break next season, Poole gives Golden State a capable shooter and someone who can create looks for himself and others.

The Warriors would buy two second-round selections. With the first, they took a homegrown talent as they selected Alen Smailagic who spent last year playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA Gatorade League. Smailagic has been on Golden State’s radar for years even before they brought him over to Santa Cruz. Smailagic is a versatile inside-out center who is also an adept playmaker from the high and low post. Given that he’s been in the Warriors system he’ll have a leg up on the other rookies drafted last night. The last of which is Eric Paschall of Villanova. A perimeter-oriented forward who used his length and strength to dominate inside against smaller opponents, Paschall is a ready-made prospect and will be 23 years old as a rookie. He is nowhere near the defender of a Draymond Green but he could fill that role on offense while bringing a bigger outside threat into the game.

When judging a team as good as the Warriors it’s easy to overrate just how much of an impact any rookie will have (looking at you Jacob Evans) but with Golden State unlikely to look like the dominant force they had been for the past five seasons, these fresh faces could possibly get an opportunity to have an immediate impact for the Warriors next season.

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