NBA Rumors: 5 prospects and trades Warriors must target with No. 7 pick
By John Buhler
It’s NBA Rumors season and the Golden State Warriors have a ton of options when it comes to the No. 7 pick in the NBA Draft.
Even if they missed the NBA Playoffs for a second straight season, the Golden State Warriors are blessed with two lottery picks this year, including the No. 7 overall selection by way of the D’Angelo Russell for Andrew Wiggins trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Golden State could keep both of these top-14 picks and add a few young pieces to their roster, or the Warriors could just as easily try to trade them to acquire a star. Given that their competitive life cycle has its core in its early 30s, cashing in these lucrative draft assets might be the way to go for Golden State. Either way, the Warriors hold all the cards during the first round this summer.
Here are five prospects or trades worth making that involve the Warriors’ No. 7 overall pick.
NBA Rumors: 5 prospects and trades Warriors must target with No. 7 pick
5. Draft Baylor Bears guard Davion Mitchell with the No. 7 overall pick
The Warriors have had plenty of success when it comes to drafting upperclassmen. Look no further than their 30-year-old core of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, all of whom played at least three years of college hoops before turning pro. The elder statesmen worth taking at No. 7 this year if you are the Warriors has to be guard Davion Mitchell out of Baylor.
Mitchell initially played his college ball at Auburn before transferring to Baylor. During his two years with the Bears, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game in 32.7 minutes per contest. He was also the straw that stirred the drink that helped Baylor stun the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs to win the 2021 NCAA Tournament, Baylor’s first in team history.
While his defensive prowess should translate right away to the NBA, we have to wonder if Mitchell has hit his ceiling as a professional. Though he could be some version of Jrue Holiday or Donovan Mitchell professionally, there are other players with higher upsides that the Warriors could take at No. 7 in Mitchell. He is about as close to a finished product as they could be getting.
If the Warriors want to contend right away, maybe drafting Mitchell at No. 7 makes some sense?