The Warriors hold the 11th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The decision they make with this top choice could significantly impact the later years of Stephen Curry’s career, as well as the franchise’s future trajectory.
This week, we’ll take a look at five potential prospects that General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. may consider.
Continued in Part 3.
Hannes Steinbach
Age: 20
Position: Forward/Center
Height/Weight: 6 feet 10 / 250 pounds
School: Washington
What makes him a good fit?
The Warriors recently experienced the benefits of having a dynamic big man on their roster. With the futures of players like Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford uncertain, developing their own player could be a smart move.
Steinbach will still be just under 21 when drafted, but he already boasts a wealth of professional and international experience. He had a standout freshman season that highlighted his potential.
Following the path of fellow Germans Detlef Schrempf and Christian Welp, Steinbach established himself as a crucial player for the Huskies.
He averaged 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, leading the nation in double-doubles during 22 out of 30 games. With a total of 353 rebounds, he stood out as the leading rebounder nationwide, addressing a significant need for the Warriors—who lacked any player averaging more than six boards per game.
Can he last until the 11th pick?
The last big man the Warriors selected with a lottery pick didn’t quite pan out.
However, Steinbach appears to be more comparable to Kevon Looney (30th overall in 2015) rather than James Wiseman (2020 overall). He’s not primarily a rim protector or even a traditional rim runner, but he comes with an impressive ability to rebound consistently.
The Golden State system has struggled to integrate traditional big men, though Steinbach’s cutting skills could provide a new dynamic to Steve Kerr’s motion offense.
Having played professionally in Germany and at the international level, even reaching the gold medal game against Team USA at the FIBA U19 Championship, Steinbach’s offensive acumen seems more polished than many other amateur bigs.
Concerns about how his size would stack up against NBA centers lingered, but he eased some of those worries with his showing at the NBA Combine, where he grew to over 6-10 and increased his wingspan by four inches. Impressively, he also gained weight, starting college at 220 pounds and weighing in at 248 pounds by draft time.
NBA Comparison: Domantas Sabonis
Looking at other successful European big men in the NBA, like Alperen Sengun, who have strong offensive skills and solid physiques, gives an idea of the type of player Steinbach could develop into.
Other Prospects
Jaxel Lendeborg might become a contender in the NBA Draft.
Brayden Burries could also emerge as an instant playmaker for the Warriors.
