The Warriors just couldn’t help themselves.
In a blockbuster deal on draft day, Golden State decided that it simply did not want to wait for the draft to start before participating in the chaos. Just days after indicating that Jordan Poole would remain on the roster for years to come, new Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy traded Poole to the Wizards for veteran point guard Chris Paul.
As part of the deal, the Warriors also sent out Ryan Rollins, a 2030 protected first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
It’s the first major move in what could be a wild offseason for the 2022 NBA champs.
While Stephen Curry is under contract for three more seasons, Draymond Green will be an unrestricted free agent and Klay Thompson has only one year remaining on his contract. Additionally, the Warriors could have a tough decision to make with Jonathan Kuminga, who hasn’t developed as quickly as expected. Could Kuminga be the next piece that Dunleavy flips for a win-now player?
Free agency will be a big one for the Warriors, but they’ll first have an opportunity to add a prospect to their roster with their first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Where does Golden State land in the draft order? Here is everything you need to know ahead of the draft.
MORE: Trade grades for the Chris Paul-Jordan Poole blockbuster
Warriors draft picks 2023: When does Golden State pick?
The Warriors have one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft:
- Round 1, No. 19
In 2019, Golden State traded its second-round picks in 2021 and 2023 for the draft rights of Alen Smailagic, who appeared in a total of 29 games with the Warriors before being waived.
Warriors 2023 NBA Draft order
| Round | Pick | Selection |
| 1 | 19 | TBD |
Warriors draft needs
- Experience. It’s no secret that the Warriors are looking to compete while Stephen Curry is still playing at an MVP level. Even after trading for Chris Paul, adding a prospect who doesn’t need as much development could help them address some of the depth issues they ran into in the playoffs.
- Frontcourt depth. The Warriors are light in the frontcourt beyond Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, and Green could leave the team as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Adding a big who could space the floor would add an element they didn’t have this season.
- Shooting. The Warriors ranked second in 3-point percentage during the regular season but fell to 10th out of 16 teams in the playoffs. Giving Curry and Klay Thompson more space to work with certainly wouldn’t hurt.
NBA Mock Draft 2023
In his most recent mock draft, The Sporting News’ Kyle Irving had the Warriors selecting Iowa’s Kris Murray with the No. 19 pick.
“The Warriors are reportedly ‘done with projects‘ as they look to target a more established prospect with the No. 19 pick. Murray is a perfect fit for what Golden State is aiming for as a 6-8, versatile forward who can defend multiple positions and knock down catch-and-shoot 3s to space the floor for its stars,” Irving wrote.
“Kris is the twin brother of the Kings’ 2022 top-five pick Keegan Murray, who played a major role in helping Sacramento snap its 16-year playoff drought. He brings an almost identical skillset and could provide the Warriors with some NBA-ready depth.”
