[h1]NBA DRAFT[/h1] [h2]Mullin finds solace in 14th spot[/h2]
Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, June 26, 2008
(06-25) 21:44 PDT -- As it turns out, missing the playoffs has its upside for the Warriors. Their warped reward for being the best team shut out of the postseason comes with the final lottery pick in today's NBA draft.
At No. 14, the Warriors were sitting six spots higher than the playoff-swept Nuggets, who nudged Golden State out of a postseason berth and ended up trading out of the draft. And at that spot, the Warriors believe there will be a talented player to join an already successful core.
"I don't know any year where you (have a) 48-win team with the prospect of the 14th pick," Warriors vice president Chris Mullin said. "Right now, we're in a position of looking for depth."
That's assuming Golden State stays there, of course. The Warriors have been active in trade talks leading up to the draft, especially with their $10 million trade exception set to expire Monday.
Mullin said he is operating under the premise that both of his restricted free agents, Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins, will be re-signed, and he has publicly stated his expectations for Baron Davis and Al Harrington to be back.
If the core does return, Golden State still would be thin at virtually every position, with rebounding and defense again ranking as its biggest weaknesses. Again, the question will be to draft for need or take the best available player. The Warriors also have the 49th overall pick in the second round.
"Philosophically, like in my gut, draft-wise, I like to pick guys (who) have potential to go on and be stars," Mullin said. "That's not always available. At the risk of passing on a guy to do that, I'd lean the other way, most times."
Need a big man? The best will be long gone by the time the Warriors are up, and the runners-up all figure to have a rough go trying to earn playing time under coach Don Nelson.
Stanford sophomore Robin Lopez, Rider senior Jason Thompson and Ohio State freshman Kosta Koufos might be the most NBA-ready among those left on the board.
LSU freshman Anthony Randolph, Kansas sophomore Darrell Arthur and Texas A&M freshman DeAndre Jordan are considered major projects. International long shots include France's Alexis Ajinca and Serge Ibaka of the Congo.
Wing players who could be available include Syracuse freshman Donte Greene, Kansas junior Brandan Rush and France's Nicolas Batum. Kansas junior Mario Chalmers is a point-guard possibility.
The Warriors auditioned close to 60 prospects in Oakland in individual and group workouts over the last three weeks, and one of their last road shows came in Phoenix on Tuesday, when they were set to watch Jordan and Koufos face each other.
Mullin's history suggests that he's willing to take a flier: Marco Belinelli, last year's 18th pick, didn't receive much pre-draft hype. Patrick O'Bryant, the No. 9 pick in 2006, came to the East Bay as a project.
The reaches haven't always worked, however. Though Monta Ellis, a second-round pick in 2005, remains the biggest steal of recent drafts, the Warriors simply haven't had much success lately with their first-round picks.
Forward Ike Diogu (No. 9 in 2005) was a bust. O'Bryant didn't have a chance under Nelson. Belinelli struggled in his rookie season. And despite all his promise, Brandan Wright, last year's No. 8 pick who was acquired from the Bobcats for Jason Richardson, is very much a work-in-progress.
Briefly: The Warriors have tendered qualifying offers to Ellis, Biedrins and Kelenna Azubuike, officially designating the three as restricted free agents and giving Golden State the right to match any offer sheets they sign. ... The Warriors have begun holding their weekly summer basketball camps throughout the Bay Area. Go to
Warriors.com or call (510) 986-5310 for more information.
[h3]NBA draft[/h3]
When: 4:30 p.m. today
Where: New York City
TV: ESPN
Warriors' picks: 14th and 49th overall
Inside: Draft order
D2
E-mail Janny Hu at [email protected].
Briefly: The Warriors have tendered qualifying offers to Ellis, Biedrins and Kelenna Azubuike, officially designating the three as restricted free agents and giving Golden State the right to match any offer sheets they sign. ...
So Azubuike is a restricted free agent? I thought once he opted out, he's unrestricted..