Golden State Warriors: Potential First Round Draft Picks

Cliff Alexander, Power Forward, Kansas

Jan 24, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Jayhawks won 75-62. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander was a top-15 prospect going into the season. Many made the argument that he could be towards the middle of the lottery. After some off court red flags with Alexander’s family receiving impermissible benefits, he has dropped down to the latter half of the first round.

If Alexander drops down to pick 29 or 30, the Warriors should be willing to take him even with his red flags. A player of Alexander’s potential doesn’t usually drop down that far, and adding him to an already young stud lineup would do wonders for the Warriors.[

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Alexander only played one season of college basketball and only averaged 7.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 1.3 blocks per game. These numbers aren’t spectacular, but Kansas already had Perry Ellis and a pair of junior forwards in Hunter Mickelson and Jamari Traylor, along with sophomore Landen Lucas. Alexander only played out 17.1 minutes a game, but his pro potential is still strong.

He is 6’8″ and 240 pounds,  and is only 19 years old. He has immense amounts of long term potential, and could be a steal for the Warriors late in the draft.

Alexander offers the Warriors a young player they can mold into a solid backup behind Green. His potential is just too much to pass up at one of the last picks of the first round. Normally, lottery picks don’t fall to the 30th pick, but the Warriors could end up with one in the late first round.

Next: Guillermo Hernangomez