Golden Gate Sports
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: Realistic expectations for three 2019 draft picks

By Justin Fried

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a second half three point basket while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a second half three point basket while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Golden State Warriors
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 23: Eric Paschall #4 of the Villanova Wildcats is defended by Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 23, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. Golden State Warriors (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. PF Eric Paschall

But while the Warriors selected Smailagic with an eye on the future, the Warriors made a clear instant-impact selection in former Villanova standout Eric Paschall.

A two-year starter at Villanova, Paschall excelled during his senior season as the Wildcats’ do-everything talent. He led the team in scoring averaging 16.5 points per game, rebounds averaging 6.1 per game, and was an overall solid defender.

Paschall shot the three-ball well shooting a comfortable 34.1% from behind the arc and was an all-around team leader on and off the court. With that in mind, it’s easy to see what the Warriors liked in Paschall.

More from Golden State Warriors

There is no one facet of his game that stands out in particular. Instead, he’s just a well-rounded, high-work-ethic player who should immediately step in and secure some immediate playing time.

He should serve as Draymond Green’s — a player he’s been compared to countless times — primary backup at power forward and the hope is that the level of defense won’t drop off significantly from Green to Paschall.

We could still see players like Kevon Looney or even the aforementioned Smailagic get some time at that position. But the overwhelming consensus is that Paschall should see the most work at the four.

And given his NBA-ready skill set, he seems best suited to fill the role of an instant-impact role player.

Home/Golden State Warriors