The 2024 NBA Draft is approaching this week and the Golden State Warriors only have a second round pick and No. 52. That's not an issue for the Warriors as they've proven they can find good value with a late draft pick. They did so last season when they plucked Trayce Jackson-Davis out of the second round with the No. 57 overall pick.
By the end of the season, Jackson-Davis was firmly in the rotation and providing the Warriors with quality minutes as a rookie. He appeared in 68 games, including 16 starts, at a little over 16 minutes per game.
He averaged 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocked shots with splits of 70.2 percent shooting from the field and 56.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line. For a team like the Warriors who don't have a first round pick and are over the salary cap, finding good value in the second round is going to be key.
Jackson-Davis slipped in the draft likely due to his age. He was a four-year senior out of Indiana. That's exactly the kind of player the Warriors should target; an older college player who is ready to contribute right away.
Pelle Larsson is a player Warriors could target in NBA Draft
One of the things the Warriors could use from their draft pick is shooting. Pelle Larsson out of Arizona fits that archetype. Larsson began his college career at Utah before transferring to Arizona for his final three years of college basketball.
Larsson is projected to be drafted in the second round and could still be on board when the Warriors are up at No. 52. During his senior season at Arizona, he averaged a career-best 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He shot 42.6 percent from three-point range and he holds a career average of 39.7 percent.
Larsson is without question one of the best shooters in the draft. He's a catch and shoot player who can thrive in the Warriors offense. He's smart with the ball in his hands. If the Warriors draft him, it wouldn't be surprising to see him have a Trayce Jackson-Davis-like impact next season.
Antonio Reeves could fit with the Warriors in NBA Draft
When it comes to the second round of the NBA Draft, drafting based on need rather than best player available is a little more acceptable. For the Warriors, consistent three-point shooting is a necessity. So if Antonio Reeves out of Kentucky is available when the Warriors pick, he would be a solid selection.
Reeves, like Larsson, is one of the best three-point shooters in the draft. He began his college career at Illinois State playing three seasons for the Redbirds before transferring to Kentucky for two seasons. During his final season of college basketball, he shot a career-best 44.7 percent from distance. He holds a career average of 38.4 percent.
Reeves had a solid showing at the combine but will likely be drafted around the Warriors range. If he's still on board at No. 52, the Warriors should make him their pick.
Jaylen Wells is an option for Warriors pick at No. 52
Perhaps one of the more intriguing players in the 2024 NBA Draft is Jaylen Wells from Washington State. Wells only played one season of Division 1 college basketball. Prior to last season he played two years at Division 2 Sonoma State.
Wells doesn't quite fit the profile of the college senior that the Warriors should be targeting late in the draft. He's only 20-years-old. But he's kind of a swing for the fences type pick; a low risk, high reward type of player. Now it's incredibly possible that he played his way out of the Warriors range and will be drafted in the high to mid second round.
But if he's still available at No. 52, the Warriors need to seriously consider drafting him. This past season at Washington State he averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He shot 43.6 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range.
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