The Warriors appear to have gotten a major steal late in this year’s draft, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Weaving a separate but related agreement into the Chris Paul/Jordan Poole deal, Golden State sent Patrick Baldwin Jr. and cash to Washington for the 57th pick, which it used to select Indiana center Trayce Jackson-Davis, who has been indispensable, especially since Draymond Green‘s latest suspension.
Jackson-Davis showed the Wizards what they missed in their Friday night matchup, posting his third straight double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds. He feels like he has something to prove to the rest of the league after sliding so far on draft night.
“Washington, I think, called me on draft day,” Jackson-Davis recalled. “Them and the Spurs called me and said, ‘We’re thinking about taking you early in the second. We’re probably going to get a pick.’ But it didn’t happen. Then all of a sudden my agent called and said the Warriors are trading for Washington’s pick.”
The Warriors have a numerical model that projected Jackson-Davis as a top-15 prospect and they considered him worthy of a first-round pick, Slater adds. Jackson-Davis said he heard that Golden State was trying to trade for another first-round selection after taking Brandin Podziemski at No. 19, but couldn’t find an acceptable deal until the draft was almost over.
Jackson-Davis added that teams began calling his agent around the 35th pick, but they all wanted him to accept a two-way contract. His insistence on a guaranteed deal caused him to stay on the board until nearly the end.
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Green has missed more than five games during his indefinite suspension, which means Golden State can transfer him to the suspended list and sign a replacement player, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. Memphis added Bismack Biyombo during Ja Morant‘s suspension, but salary cap concerns may make the Warriors less likely to follow suit — they already have an open roster spot.
- Coach Steve Kerr likes his current rotation, but changes are still expected soon, per Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle. After missing two games with an illness, Andrew Wiggins could be ready to return on Christmas Day, and Gary Payton II, who has been sidelined since late November with a strained right calf, recently began practicing again. Room will also have to be made for Green whenever he’s reinstated by the league.
- Tim Kawakami of The Athletic re-examines the 2020 draft and explains why the Warriors opted for James Wiseman instead of Tyrese Haliburton. Head coach Steve Kerr said he thinks Haliburton was ranked fourth or fifth on Golden State’s board. “I was disappointed that they (had) the No. 2 pick because I felt like if they were anywhere out of the top three, I felt like I was going to be the pick,” Haliburton said.
Since Dray is out, Klay has been putting Real stats… Coïncidence?
Nope. Not even close. It happened after they had a players only closed door meeting. The change came that very evening. If you are going to be gossipy, you need to keep up.
Its the attitude that changed. Notice how the warriors are not arguing bad calls and just play the game. Green better understand that when he comes back stop arguing and stay focused on next play.
Have you also noticed that Kerr is also playing the younger guys more. Last season, it was pretty scary proposition. All the pressure was on the starters. Now that the younger guys are reliable, that starters can relax and have fun. Klay is shooting much better. Especially since Podz took over for Wiggins.
Its fresh seeing the kids play which brings in added energy to the team. I never heard of Podz before the draft which turned out to be a great pick.
Was Draymond in the room ? (Nor Iggy?)
I am not gossipy, i don’t really care that much, GSW has just played better since clown Dray is out
You do know that Iggy retired. They didn’t play better after his 1st suspension. They didn’t start playing better until after the player’s meeting. Draymond had already missed a few games.
GSW didn’t played better nor differently cause they didn’t have to adapt to a long absence, now they do … Look at the Bulls without LaVine and after their first players meeting in october.
According to basketball-reference, Baldwin Jr. was part of the Poole trade and the Warriors got Jackson-Davis for cash only.
Not that it matters much, but it would just be a Wizards gonna Wiz thing if they traded a good player for some cash.
This is correct. Baldwin and Rollins were apart of the Poole trade
What makes no sense is why the Wizards are not playing PBJ more. They are not going to the playoffs so might as well see what you have in young players. PBJ does have a good shot just needs to learn rotations and defense.
He’s very slow. He can shoot the lights out but wow he’s a statue out there.
Conditioning and coaching will make him faster.
There was hope some of that athleticism would return after his injury-riddled year in college, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened to date. If it did it would really raise his stock.
Also, he just hasn’t shot well enough. Great looking form, but if you’re gonna be that unathletic you can’t just be a great shooter in theory. His G-League numbers this year are uninspiring (better recently though). He’s gotta get into the 40%+ territory on good volume in the NBA.
Of course the Wizards suck so who cares for the time being. Maybe they play him after the trade deadline.
The trade wasnt completed till weeks after it was originally reported so they just folded the PBJ for TJD into it. It was negotiated separately. He also was only available then since he told teams he wouldnt sign a 2 way and only GSW was giving him a standard contract in the back of the second.
They drafted Wiesmen instead of Halliburton/ Ball for the same reason Portland drafted Sam Bowie and Gregg Oden. Got enamored with the athletic 7 footer who doesn’t have skill
Covid draft with no scouting and far fewer games played for most players in it. What do you want?
Wiseman’s lack of playing time had nothing to do with COVID. He had played only 3 college games when he was suspended, and he elected not to return.
Most players had played far less than usual with no March madness. The available tape on players in general, and a limited ability to work them out made it the shot in the dark draft.
THANK YOU! The one draft GSW gets a top 5 pick due to injuries happens to be the SAME draft that didn’t allow for in-person scouting. This is why GM’s go with sure things, and traditionally, you can’t teach size. Wiseman was a safe pick, but a poor choice ultimately. At least his salary allowed them to retain GP2 because if there’s one thing a team with a 35yo guard, 38yo guard, and 33yo SG with bad legs needs is a hyper athletic point-of-attack defender.
They couldn’t pay GP2 outright, but they can/did trade a salary for his.
Bowie and Oden had all the skill in the World. Problem is neither could stay healthy.
What happens if TDJ has a better career than Wemby? Could happen. Wemby needs the weight room
Wemby has a great shot so no concern for Spur fans. Wemby will gain the weight when he gets older but has so many skills there should be no concern for him.
TJD has nothing like Wemby’s skill set, and he’s 7″ shorter with 11″ less wingspan. He could be very good, but Wemby could be a generational talent. Wemby does need bulk / strength, and his durability could be an issue. Really the ONLY thing that could stop him.
Son of Dale Davis!
Wemby looks like Shawn Bradley with offensive game. Or Bol Bol 2
Vol Vol is built. I think you are thinking I’d his SAS Manute who was 7’7″ and weighed 180 .Bol Bol is 7’2″ and weighs 220. Growing up in the US he got far better nutrition