3 players the Warriors should target if they can trade up in the NBA Draft

Mar 12, 2023; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars forward Jarace Walker (25) reacts to a foul call during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2023; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars forward Jarace Walker (25) reacts to a foul call during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jarace Walker, NBA Draft
Jarace Walker, NBA Draft (Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports) /

NBA Draft prospects the Warriors can trade up for: 2. Jarace Walker

At 6-foot-7, Walker may appear a bit undersized for a full-time frontcourt player but his strength and nearly 7-foot-3 wingspan make it viable. He’s an incredibly disruptive defensive player, swarming ball-handlers, protecting the paint and switching onto all sorts of players, making a difference with intensity, awareness and his incredible physical tools. More than one scouting report has mentioned him as an All-Defensive team candidate down the line, with perhaps unmatched defensive versatility in this class.

On offense, he’s still developing as an outside shooter and he’s not someone who is going to create a ton of offense for himself. But his finishing, physical tools and strong vision and passing skills make him extremely valuable as a pick-and-roll partner.

It’s almost trite with the Warriors to wonder about who could replace Draymond Green in their unique scheme. But Walker is perhaps as close a fit as we’ve seen come through the draft in the past few years. He can be that kind of defensive force and while he may not be quite as adept a facilitator on offense, he could grow into a lot of those responsibilities while offering more potential as a scorer.