The Golden State Warriors have now hosted two dozen prospects for workouts in preparation for the 2024 NBA Draft. In doing so, they’ve found one who’s perfect for their team needs: Arizona wing Pelle Larsson.
The Warriors tomorrow are working out these six prospects ahead of the NBA draft:
Darin Green Jr. (Florida State)
Blake Hinson (Pittburgh)
Keshad Johnson (Arizona)
Pelle Larsson (Arizona)
Shahada Wells (McNeese State)
Moses Wood (Washington)Lot of buzz about Johnson
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) June 2, 2024
Beginning his collegiate career with the Utah Utes, Larsson transferred to Arizona after his freshman season. Since then, he’s earned Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year honors (2022) and been named an All-Pac-12 selection (2024). While he isn’t the most accomplished prospect in the draft, he’s consistently played a significant role for a powerhouse program.
With the No. 52 pick, the Warriors can’t do much better than the Swedish sharpshooter.
Breaking Down Pelle Larsson
Larsson’s 3-point shooting isn’t quite prolific in terms of volume. Though 40.1 percent of his field goal attempts have come from beyond the arc, he’s only averaged 2.6 per game. His efficiency is what’s eye-opening though. With two seasons shooting at least 42 percent from deep, he’s made 39.7 percent of his 3s during his career.
At the other end, Larsson routinely makes standout defensive plays due to his foot speed and activity. He doesn’t generate a lot of blocks or steals, but he makes players work for their points. With that said, while an event creator is always appealing, a defender who disrupts rhythm or decreases the opponent’s scoring opportunities can be just as valuable.
Ultimately, at 6-foot-6 and 212 pounds, he’s a wing who can provide Golden State with options.
Which Wing Will Take Flight?
Heading into the offseason, it’s uncertain whether Klay Thompson or Andrew Wiggins will be back in 2024-25.
Thompson is having a midlife crisis, perturbed by his physical decline. Expected to test free agency for the first time this offseason, he may leave the Warriors in pursuit of a better deal or larger role. Wiggins has now had two trying seasons since the Warriors took him off the Minnesota Timberwolves’ hands. Featured in trade rumors since midseason, Wiggins could be on the way out of Golden State as well.
Though the Warriors probably want to keep one or the other, they may be willing to move on from both. Thompson’s a naturally gifted outside shooter, but now a defensive weak link. Wiggins has become one of the team’s better defenders, but his 3-point shooting regressed in 2023-24.
Drafting Larsson and having him join a stable of young perimeter pieces that includes Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody makes letting one or both veterans go that much easier.
Fast-Forward
Jonathan Kuminga has star potential. Indeed, Kuminga is being portrayed as the future face of the franchise. Meanwhile, the Warriors can start Draymond Green at center, but that’s not what they want to do. Green can change a game as a point-center, but he’s not built to play center full-time. As a result, he’s likely to start alongside Kuminga at forward next season.
When including Stephen Curry, that means three Warriors can be penciled in as starters next season. To that point, a player with a 3-and-D skillset is proven to fit alongside the two-time MVP. Fast-forward to 2024-25, whether it’s Thompson, Wiggins, Podziemski, Moody, or Larsson, that’s the primary role Curry’s backcourt partner will play. However, Larsson’s playmaking is also worth noting given the ethos of the Warriors’ offense.
