3 trades Warriors can make to blow up the NBA Draft
By Scott Rogust
The Golden State Warriors are in a position to potentially create chaos at the NBA Draft, and they can do so by making one of these three trades.
The Golden State Warriors may have missed out on qualifying for the NBA Playoffs this past season after losing to both the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in round, but they are setting themselves up to be the biggest winners of the NBA offseason.
Not only will the team have star guard Klay Thompson back for 2021 after missing the past two seasons due to injuries, but they have two first-round picks at their disposal in the NBA Draft this Thursday. To be specific, the Warriors have the Nos. 7 and 14 picks. That gives them the opportunity to make some serious moves that can help propel them up the Western Conference power rankings.
Here are three trades they should explore making to send the 2021 NBA Draft into complete chaos.
3. Warriors could trade up for USC’s Evan Mobley
With the Warriors owning two first-rounders this year, that gives them a decent shot of making a move up the draft board if they so choose. No, the Warriors will not be making a move for Cade Cunningham at No. 1. Rather, they can leapfrog other teams for USC big man Evan Mobley.
If you are a team that is looking for a dominant forward or center, Mobley is the guy that fits the bill. Mobley played in just one season for the Trojans, but he was absolutely dominant and earned a plethora of awards as a result.
Through 33 games this past season, Mobley is averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.4 assists while shooting 57.8-percent from the field. Mobley was named the Pac 12’s Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
While the Warriors did select James Wiseman with the second-overall pick in last year’s draft, there is the potential that they move on from him altogether as part of a larger trade (we’ll get to that). If that is truly the case, Mobley would be a solid addition to Golden State’s starting lineup to pair alongside Draymond Green.