Now that the NBA Finals are over and the Dallas Mavericks have prevailed over LeBron James and the evil empire, the NBA Draft can start to heat up. But with just over a week to go until the big day, there’s still no set order for the draft outside of the top four picks.
We can speculate all we want, but in the next week it will become a bit clearer who will be chosen and where.
with the no. With the 11th pick in the NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors may have an idea of who will be available, but there are several players who have a chance to see their draft stock go up and down over the next nine days.
The Warriors know this: They need a backcourt defender and a big man during this draft. But who do they ultimately choose with the no. The 11th pick may be the best player available, given the current circumstances.
Here are several prospects who have a chance to be available at no. 11 picks and would be a great fit into the Golden State system.
alec burks
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
weight: 193
Age: 19
School: Colorado
Burks’ preliminary stock has been rising lately, but how could he not?
Teams that know this draft can be a little shallow in the talent department can’t pass up one of the most athletic players in this draft.
He is a born scorer, averaging 17 PPG and 20 PPG in his freshman and sophomore seasons at Colorado. He also shows great leadership for being only 19 years old.
The downside is that it may take a while for his game to translate to the NBA, but his athletic build and skill won’t take long to turn this prospect into a bonus scorer.
If the Warriors choose to trade Monta Ellis, which doesn’t seem likely now with Mark Jackson’s comments, Burks could be a good fit alongside Stephen Curry on the backcourt. Either way, he may be the player available for bets at no. eleven
chris singleton
Position: SF
Height: 6’9″
weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Florida State
Along with Burks, Singleton will be one of the best players available when the Warriors get their turn on June 23.
Singlton fits perfectly into the Warriors’ system. He has all the intangibles that Golden State needs and wants.
What stands out the most is his defense, which the Warriors will be a key focus on this draft, and through assistant coach Mike Malone throughout the season. Singleton can protect anyone from guard to power forward, making him extremely versatile on the court.
His length also has other teams drooling.
On the Warriors, Singleton can immediately contribute with his length and size. At 6’9″, the small forward could impact the Warriors in that he gives them immediate size, which is another key focus for Golden State this offseason.
Did I mention he’s NBA ready?
jordan hamilton
Position: SF
Height: 6’9″
Weight: 229
Age: 20
School: Texas
Hamilton can score, we all saw that last season of college basketball. But can he score him on the next level?
Good question. Hence the question mark for Hamilton as a worthy top-15 pick.
What the University of Texas stud can do is have a very good workout in front of NBA scouts.
Hamilton has impressed in offseason training thus far, showing off his skill and shooting range, which could be essential with his 6’9″ frame.
With his size at the forward position, Hamilton could be a great fit into the Warriors’ system.
marcus morris
Position: FP
Height: 6’9″
weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Kansas
This seems to be everyone’s consensus on who the Warriors should pick at no. eleven
Morris has the size Golden State needs and a good shooting range to complement it.
The biggest concern is that it could just be another undersized power forward, which is the most likely scenario if you ask me.
Morris doesn’t have the physical skills to take down an NBA forward, nor does anything really stand out, other than that he could help the Warriors on the backboards.
Although I feel like the Warriors could do a lot better than taking Morris at no. 11, the Warriors could solidify a decent front with the Kansas alumnus under the rim.
klay thompson
Position: LF
Height: 6’7″
weight: 206
Age: 21
School: Washington St.
If you haven’t noticed, Thompson’s stock is as high as any in this draft right now.
It might have something to do with the fact that he’s 6’7″ and has one of the best ball-handling skills in this draft.
In the NBA, Thompson will switch between point guard and shooting guard roles, but teams will select him for his versatility and shooting ability.
In his junior season at Washington State, Thompson averaged 21 PPG while shooting 43 percent from long range.
He’ll be right in the Warriors’ wheelhouse at no. 11, it has yet to be decided if it will be a scope at that point.
Did I mention that Jerry West may have feelings for him?
kenneth faried
Position: FP
Height: 6’8″
weight: 225
Age: 21
School: Morehead State
Yes, Faried is a reach for the Warriors at no. 11, that doesn’t take away from his ability to be a decent NBA player one day.
He is a born rebounder with energy through the roof.
The comparison has been made to the San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair, who is also a bit small for his position but had a very productive rookie season despite that.
Sure, the Warriors could use him, but he’s not worth taking. 11. Chad Ford has him going to the Portland Trailblazers at no. twenty-one
Tristan Thompson
Position: FP
Height: 6’9″
Weight: 228
Age: 20
School: Texas
Thompson is intriguing if you’re the Warriors. Most likely he will be available at no. 11 and exudes potential with his lanky 6’9″ frame and natural offensive awareness.
The 20-year-old can play both 3 and 4 in the NBA, but will have a hard time getting used to the NBA game given that he may not mix well with other 3 and 4 until he gets stronger.
If he develops physically, Thompson can be a star in the NBA, which is why he’s so intriguing to some teams.
Bismack Biyombo
Position: FP
Height: 6’9″
Weight: 243
Age: 18
Country: Congo
Biyombo has to do with his strange physical build. At 6’9″ with a 7’7 wingspan, he can reach 9’3″ in the air while still.
Those traits alone landed Biyombo in the top 10 of an extremely shallow draft, but the fact that he’s so inexperienced worries teams.
Not much is known about Biyombo other than the fact that he is a godsend to the hoop. Although he’s a little short for his position, his wingspan allows him to play much bigger and his age oozes potential from him when he hits an NBA court.
Jonas Valanciunas
Position: FP
Height: 6’10”
weight: 230
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania
Arguably the most talented European player in this draft, Valanciunas is another player oozing potential.
At 6’10” and just 19 years old, he has the ability to develop into a good player at the power forward position.
It may be a project for a couple of years, which is why teams may pass him up early in this draft. Given the chance, the Warriors won’t be one of those teams, as it’s a steal at no. eleven
Jan Veseley
Position: FP
Height: 6’11”
weight: 240
Age: 21
Country: Czech Republic
The most athletic player in this draft comes from the Czech Republic and is ready to play.
There is much debate as to where Vesely will ultimately land, as he has been predicted to go from the fifth to the twelfth pick. Whoever picks it, that team gets a jolt of energy from their new SF/PF length with sky-high potential.
For now, Vesely lives above the rim, but his jump shot is coming and could do some damage in a few years.
If Vesely’s indecisive draft stocks plunge him to no. 11 on June 23, the Warriors franchise will take a big step forward.