The Golden State Warriors only held two selections in this year’s NBA Draft, but they certainly used them well. The Jordan Poole deal gave them the 57th pick along with the 19th pick that they already owned.
Golden State Warriors Draft Overview
"With the 19th pick in 2023 NBA Draft the Golden State Warriors select Brandin Podziemski from Santa Clara University"
"I love this pick. He can do it all" @jj_redick
"Great pick. A super versatile scorer" @JayBilas
Podz follows @JdubPSCEO as a @SantaClaraHoops 1st Rounder👊 pic.twitter.com/sT8ckUITaN
— Jack Benjamin (@JackBenjaminPxP) June 23, 2023
First Round, 19th Pick: Brandin Podziemski, Guard, Santa Clara
Brandin Podziemski is, frankly, a great replacement for Poole. The 6-foot-5 guard weighs 205 pounds and has many skills that translate to the NBA level. Podziemski averaged 19.9 PPG last season at Santa Clara while shooting 48 percent from the field and 43 percent from three, winning WCC Co-Player of the Year alongside Gonzaga’s Drew Timme.
The numbers display exactly what Podziemski is: a bucket-getter. He has great range as a three-point shooter, whether off catch-and-shoot looks or off the dribble. Podziemski uses the pick and roll effectively as well and can consistently make the right decision by either dumping to his roll man or getting to his automatic floater.
This was a great pick for Golden State, and it gives them a new sparkplug off the bench to possibly pair with Chris Paul and bolster the second unit. Podziemski will have the opportunity to learn under Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, where he can gain loads of experience on how to be successful.
Second Round, 57th Pick: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Forward, Indiana
Trayce Jackson-Davis tweeted this after getting picked second-to-last at the draft 👀 pic.twitter.com/27yjEni6jX
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 23, 2023
Trayce Jackson-Davis was Consensus All-American in his final year at Indiana, but older college big men aren’t highly valued in the NBA Draft. While Jackson-Davis is a polished low-post player with explosive athleticism and great finishing ability, there are still some holes in his game.
Already 23 years old, Jackson-Davis is three years older than Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. If Draymond Green is brought back, the newest draftee will struggle to see consistent minutes over those two guys. Steve Kerr has a system in place that has proven to work, and will prefer the guys that know it over those needing to learn.
Jackson-Davis is a good passer out of the pick-and-roll but struggles to find the open man when faced with double teams. He doesn’t panic (a good quality, don’t get me wrong) but will instead dribble away from the double to then attack the basket. Kerr would rather see the ball be less stagnant and be swung as soon as the double comes.
He also seems to fit Golden State’s new veteran movement. Yes, he’s a rookie, but again, he’s 23. He’ll require less development and will likely have fewer attitude problems if he doesn’t see minutes. Jackson-Davis has all the tools to be a great NBA player; it will just take some time for him to find a groove with the Warriors.
