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The Golden State Warriors are in the midst of celebrating their fourth championship in the past eight seasons, an extremely incredible feat. While the players are surely celebrating the massive accomplishment, the front office must focus on retooling for next season. Even with it being the day after the completion of the NBA Finals, the 2022 NBA Draft is now under a week away.
Golden State will shift its focus to adding another key piece in the hope to repeat. The Warriors currently hold the 28th, 51st, and 55th picks. Here are three under-the-radar names to keep an eye on with their draft picks.
3 sleeper prospects Warriors must target in 2022 NBA Draft
Max Christie – Guard, Michigan State
A lanky, 6-foot-5 guard with impressive athleticism, Max Christie would be a perfect fit in the Warriors' style of play. The 19-year-old averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He shot 38.2% from the field and 31.7% on three-point attempts, which is the biggest red flag in his game. He also needs to add some muscle to his frame. This was a problem for the Michigan State product in college and will continue to be at the NBA level.
Even so, the shooting touch and active play style are worth taking a gamble on. Christie is a willing defender and can create with the ball in his hand. His style of play is still very moldable and he could fit into the Warriors' play style quite easily. Similar to what the Dubs have done with Jordan Poole, Christie would benefit greatly from learning behind Stephen Curry before truly stepping in. This would be a long-term pick but could pay off greatly for the franchise.
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Christian Braun – Wing, Kansas
A three-year impact player at Kansas, Christian Braun has everything you look for in an NBA role player. Braun stands at 6-foot-7 with good athleticism and an understanding of his role. The 21-year-old was not relied on as a shot creator or true focal point of the offense but was never afraid to step in and take a big shot for the team. During this past season at Kansas, Braun averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He also shot 38.6 percent on three-point attempts.
While he may not have an individual standout skill, Braun also does not have a glaring weakness. He projects well as a catch-and-shoot prospect and is much more versatile than he is given credit. The ceiling of the Kansas product is somewhat limited, but he seems a surefire pick to provide complimentary minutes to a contending team, especially Golden State.
Bryce McGowens – Guard, Nebraska
Another high-impact guard with intriguing potential is Bryce McGowens. He spent one season at Nebraska where he served as the focal point of the offense, averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. The efficiency splits are the largest concern with McGowens' game. He shot just 40.3 percent from the field and 27.4 percent on three-point attempts this season. He also lacks the necessary strength to hold up at the NBA level. The 6-foot-6 guard was bothered by more physical defenders and this will continue to be the case in the NBA.
While his play was largely inconsistent, the flashes McGowens shows make him worth a selection. His jump shot is not as broken as the stats may look and there were some stretches where he looked really impressive this season. The Nebraska product has the necessary athleticism to translate at the NBA level and will benefit from not having major expectations from him when he steps into the league. He is surely a few years from being a true contributor but could greatly outplay his draft slot in the long term for the Warriors.
