Golden State Warriors 2015 NBA Draft Preview

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a bit surreal that the Golden State Warriors are the reigning NBA champions and consequently have the last pick of the first round in the 2015 NBA Draft, which will take place this Thursday in Brooklyn, NY.

It was actually only three years ago that the Warriors were in the lottery, and they took Harrison Barnes with the 7th overall pick. In fact, the Warriors had an overall great draft in 2012, also taking backup center Festus Ezeli with the 30th pick, along with Draymond Green with the 35th pick.

Now the Warriors are talking about giving Barnes an extension that could pay him roughly $10 million a year following next season, and everyone in the NBA has known for quite some time that the Warriors intend to match any offer for Green in restricted free agency this summer. He may even get the max.

If you were to tell me that just three years after being drafted, they’d help a team win a NBA title, I’d think you were crazy. Like draft Todd Fuller before Kobe Bryant AND Steve Nash kind of crazy.

There’s really no definitive guy to grab with the last pick of the first round, but Warriors general manager and reigning Executive of the Year Bob Myers should be trusted to cook something up if the Warriors don’t include the pick in a David Lee trade package.

If they choose to stay and pick, the team can go one of two ways: draft a wingman that can provide long range shooting off the bench, or a power forward to add depth at that position. Let’s take a look at several interesting names that could be available for the Warriors at 30.

Next: Honorable Mentions