The Golden State Warriors acquired the 52nd overall pick via trade in the 2025 NBA Draft and selected forward Alex Toohey out of Australia. Let’s take a look at the Warriors best NBA draft picks in franchise history. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. Their time as the Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors is included. Only time with the team is credited. Some honorable mentions include Jack George, Tom Gola, Guy Rodgers, Tom Meschery, Phil Smith, Robert Parish, Purvis Short, Sarunas Marciulionis, Mitch Richmond, Latrell Sprewell, and Jason Richardson.
U10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Golden State Warriors History
10. Monta Ellis (40th overall, 2005)
A few good options here, but let’s go with someone selected in the second round. Monta Ellis was the 2006-07 Most Improved Player and led the league in minutes twice. Two seasons, he posted averages of greater than 24 points and five assists.
9. Tim Hardaway (14th overall, 1989)
The man with the killer crossover, Tim Hardaway was an All-Star three times with Golden State. His electric play on the court helped lead to averages of 19.8 points, 9.3 assists, and 1.9 steals while with the team. Four times, he dropped 40 points with the Warriors and also had a 22-assist outing.
8. Chris Mullin (7th overall, 1985)
A member of the famed 1992 Dream Team, Chris Mullin played 13 years for Golden State. He twice led the league in minutes per game and made four All-NBA teams. Mullin averaged more than 25 points for five consecutive seasons spanning from 1988-89 until 1992-93.
7. Nate Thurmond (3rd overall, 1963)
An outstanding rebounder, Nate Thurmond averaged 16.9 per contest over his 11 seasons with the Warriors. The 6-foot-11 center also scored more than 20 points per game in five straight years from 1967-68 until 1971-72. Thurmond had seven All-Star and five all-Defensive appearances with the team.
6. Klay Thompson (11th overall, 2011)
Last season was Klay Thompson’s first away from the Warriors in the NBA. A four-time champion, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard made 2,481 threes while with Golden State. He made five straight All-Star teams from 2014-15 until 2018-19.
5. Paul Arizin (3rd overall, 1950)
A territorial pick, Paul Arizin was an All-Star in all 10 of his NBA seasons. The 1950-51 Rookie of the Year won two scoring titles and was an All-NBA first team member three times. He was the best player on the Warriors championship team in 1955-56.
4. Draymond Green (35th overall, 2012)
While some players below him might rank higher on all-time best Warriors players lists, Draymond Green sits here with the advantage of not being selected until the second round. The 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year has also made nine All-Defensive teams. He’s been a member of the Warriors four most-recent title-winning teams.
3. Rick Barry (4th overall, 1965)
Playing his first two years with the Warriors, Rick Barry then went to the ABA, before returning to the Warriors for another six seasons. A scoring champ in 1966-67, Barry made five All-NBA first teams with the franchise. He was named the 1975 Finals MVP when Golden State swept the Washington Bullets.
2. Wilt Chamberlain (3rd overall, 1959)
A territorial selection, Wilt Chamberlain put up some insane numbers in his 5.5 years with the Warriors. He won a scoring title every year with the team, led the league in rebounds his first four seasons, and won MVP as a rookie in 1959-60. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain had his historic 100-point outing.
1. Stephen Curry (7th overall, 2009)
Stephen Curry is preparing for his 17th season, all with Golden State. A four-time NBA champion, Curry is the game’s all-time sharpshooter with 4,058 made three-pointers (and counting). A back-to-back MVP winner, Curry has also earned two scoring titles.
Photo credit: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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