The popular pick: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
Even with LaMelo Ball still on the board, I firmly believe that most expect the Golden State Warriors to select a big man that would fill a void that hasn’t been filled in years. The Warriors have had good stopgaps along the way to championships, but James Wiseman would give the Warriors a player that could grow into the starting center position for years to come.
There are questions about how polished he is as a prospect, but as an athletic 7-footer, he has the potential to be a really good defender and capable offensive player on the other end of the floor. The good news is that if drafted by the Warriors, he won’t be required to contribute much on the offensive end. He’ll be able to fit in and play a role while focusing on his defense.
Even if the Warriors had landed the No. 1 overall pick, Wiseman would likely be in play for them. During his brief stint (three games) with Memphis in college, he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks per game. The potential is there and if there’s any team that will be able to help him grow, it’ll be the Golden State Warriors.