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Golden State Warriors: Ideal scenarios for the team’s 2019 draft picks

By Justin Fried

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Jordan Poole poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the 28th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Jordan Poole poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the 28th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: Golden State Warriors fans celebrate after their team defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Golden State Warriors (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Alen Smailagic

With the first of two second-round picks, the Warriors managed to snag highly-touted Serbian big man Alen Smailagic.

The Warriors have been keeping close tabs on Smailagic ever since they used their G-League affiliate to trade for him back in October of last year. The then-18-year-old subsequently became the youngest player to ever take part in a G-League game.

Hoping to retain his rights entering the 2019 NBA Draft, the Warriors traded up to pick No. 39 in order to select the man who they feel has all the potential in the world. But the key word here is ‘potential.’

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Smailagic just turned 19-years-old less than a month ago and played a bench role last season down in Santa Cruz. To expect him to play regular NBA minutes let alone make an immediate impact does seem a bit foolish.

But it’s clear that the Warriors are prepared to give it a try.

Rather than signing him to a two-way contract as most expected, Golden State opted to instead retain him on the active roster. This means that he won’t be under any limitations in regards to how many days he could spend up with the team.

Still, even in an ideal scenario, Smailagic spends the majority of the season developing his skills in the G-League. There, he becomes one of the standout players in Santa Cruz and proves that he’s ready for a bigger role next season.

He could even play a handful of games in Golden State throughout the season, especially if an injury is suffered to one of the team’s big men.

Don’t expect Smailagic to have a major instant impact, but if he could continue to harness his talent down in the G-League, then the Warriors could be set up for some major contributions next season.

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