Warriors Miss Lottery Luck, Secures No. 11 Pick
SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors didn’t strike it rich in the lottery this time around.
During the NBA Draft lottery held in Chicago, the anticipated combination was drawn, placing Golden State at the No. 11 spot for next month’s draft. Meanwhile, the Wizards walked away with the top pick.
Golden State entered the lottery with a mere 2% chance of landing the first overall selection, a 9.4% chance for a top-four pick, and, notably, a 77.6% probability of landing at No. 11. This aligns with their recently recorded performance of 37-45, marking them as having the 11th worst record in the league.
Even so, this pick provides a significant asset for general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. as he strategizes a rebuild around 38-year-old superstar Stephen Curry. About a day before the lottery, it was reported by ESPN that head coach Steve Kerr had signed a two-year contract extension, reinforcing the team’s direction moving forward.
The coaching duo of Kerr and Curry have celebrated four championships together, and their continued partnership means that Golden State might consider using the 11th pick in trade discussions for another star player, potentially someone like Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers or Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.
However, there’s also a strong draft pool to consider—widely regarded as one of the best in years—allowing the Warriors a chance to welcome some youthful talent into their ranks.
ESPN analyst Bobby Marks labeled this draft class as the deepest since 1996, the year that produced ten future All-Stars, including the legendary Kobe Bryant. There’s a growing consensus that BYU’s AJ Divanza might be the top pick, though Kansas’s Darrin Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and UNC’s Caleb Wilson are also in the mix.
One name to watch is Jaksel Lendeborg, a forward from the University of Michigan and a consensus All-American, who will turn 24 on draft night. He embodies the type of polished college talent that Kerr often favors.
“There are different demographics for different players,” said Warriors assistant GM Larry Harris in a conference call before the lottery. “When you look at mock drafts, it seems like there are four names everyone is focusing on, but we believe there are really solid options all the way up to 11.”
The last time the Warriors held the No. 11 pick, it led to a significant success when they traded it for Klay Thompson back in 2011. Over the years, they have also drafted seven other players with the 11th overall pick, including notable names like Andris Biedrins and Mikael Pietrus.
This time, the Warriors are eager to find a player who can contribute more than their last three lottery picks have since Kerr took the helm in the 2014-15 season. Their earlier selections—James Wiseman (No. 2 in 2020), Jonathan Kuminga (No. 7 in 2021), and Moses Moody (No. 14 in 2021)—haven’t fully met the foundational needs of the team as they prepare for life after Curry.
For Dunleavy, this draft represents his best opportunity to make a mark as he leads the front office. In his first draft shortly after taking over for Bob Myers, Golden State selected Brandin Podzemski at the 19th spot. He’s also shown skill at finding valuable role players in later rounds, including Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post.
“I feel really positive about our preparations for this draft,” Harris mentioned. “We are excited about the possibility of adding energetic young players to our roster that the fans can rally behind.”
