3 moves the Warriors can make with their 2 lottery picks
By Scott Rogust
The Golden State Warriors own two NBA Draft lottery picks this year, and they could do one of three things with them.
The 2021 NBA Draft takes place later this month, and while all eyes will be on the Detroit Pistons with the first overall pick, the team that carries the most intrigue is the Golden State Warriors. They not only have the 14th overall selection after missing out on the playoffs, but they also secured the seventh overall pick thanks to their Andrew Wiggins-D’Angelo Russell trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Golden State has many options they can utilize ahead of or on draft night. They can use said picks to trade for a veteran player to make a push for the NBA title, draft two players at those very positions or trade up for one of the top prospects in the draft. Here are three moves the Warriors should consider.
3. Trade for Pascal Siakam
It is no secret that the Warriors would like to return to their contending ways after losing to both the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in round. Their chances seriously took a hit once Klay Thompson was ruled out for the entire campaign due to a torn Achilles tendon. With Thompson slated to return next season, it would make sense for the Warriors to go all-in and improve their chances of reaching the NBA Finals in the tough Western Conference.
One name that has been linked to the Warriors is Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam. John Hollinger of The Athletic mentioned that there is widespread speculation that the Warriors will use the seventh overall pick and center James Wiseman to find a veteran upgrade. The name that Hollinger has heard is Siakam, who is on a Raptors team that needs to build for the future.
The Warriors would have no problem squeezing Siakam into the starting lineup, as Draymond Green has experience playing at center while the Raptors big man can start at power forward. That would immediately help improve Golden State’s chances of contending next season. As for the Raptors, they can add the No. 7 and 14 picks to their No. 4 pick and bring in Wiseman to play at center for the foreseeable future. That would help Toronto immensely.