After the Golden State Warriors’ active trade deadline where they acquired six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, the team was left with the 41st pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Their situation is similar to last year’s draft when they only held the 52nd pick. They used it to select Quinten Post, who gave Golden State valuable minutes in his rookie season as a rotational stretch big.
The Warriors have to maximize the rest of Stephen Curry’s career. Their roster is well-positioned to compete at a high level for the next couple of seasons, and it will be crucial to continue identifying high-impact prospects. Luckily, there are many draft targets for the Warriors who could fit that role and their system perfectly.
4 Potential Draft Targets For the Warriors
Chaz Lanier
Chaz Lanier transferred from North Florida to Tennessee for his fifth collegiate season. The six-foot-four guard broke out in the SEC and became the driving force of a great Tennessee offense, averaging 18.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. His dynamic shooting ability was on full display for the Volunteers, knocking down 3.2 of 8.2 threes per game (39.5%). Lanier’s quick release proved to benefit him as a tough shot-maker off screens and handoffs. However, finishing around the basket is a different story, as his struggles were alarming.
In the Warriors system, there is a lot of movement, and any rotational guard must be active off-ball. With his natural feel to relocate on jumpers and cut to the basket, Lanier would provide Golden State with another off-ball contributor behind Buddy Hield and Curry. However, his inability to make an accurate pass could render his development into anything more than an offensive spark.
Tyrese Proctor
Tyrese Proctor took time to mold himself into an NBA-level prospect after expecting to go one-and-done. In his junior season at Duke, he averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. However, his development over the past three seasons from long-range has been the major storyline. This past year, Proctor shot 40.5% from beyond the arc, showing his clear improvement from a shaky shooter to a reliable shooter. Along with a developed shooting stroke, Proctor was a connective playmaker during his time with the Blue Devils.
His athletic traits aren’t anything special. However, the Warriors have found value in non-athletic guards like Brandin Podziemski, who possess loads of intelligence. Proctor is a long-armed defender, but prides himself on defense with great heart, effort, and IQ. His defensive intensity could make him a draft target for the Warriors.
Kobe Johnson
Kobe Johnson has established himself as a tenacious wing defender throughout his career at USC and UCLA. In his last three seasons, he averaged 2.0 steals for the Trojans and Bruins. Last season for UCLA, Johnson was the centerpiece of the Big Ten’s best scoring defense. He isn’t a high-volume shooter, but moves well off the ball, cutting to the basket and out in transition.
Johnson’s energetic nature helps him secure an excellent position when grabbing rebounds, which could bring immense value to an undersized Golden State team. Although he is polished on the defensive end, he still needs room to grow as an offensive player. Learning from the likes of Draymond Green and Butler, Johnson will understand his role as he develops a more consistent three-point shot and ability to create open looks for himself and teammates.
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins has unique mobility on both ends for his size and underrated vision as a secondary playmaker. In his final season with Kansas State, he averaged 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals per game, and 1.3 blocks. This total all-around season performance from Hawkins truly showed his value as a big, versatile defender and a great connecting piece to an offense.
Hawkins has plenty of connections throughout the Warriors’ organization. During the 2024 pre-draft process, he became a potential draft target for them before deciding to return to school. Golden State values bigs who can stretch the floor, and Hawkins has added an outside shot to his overall skill set, giving him nice pick-and-pop upside.
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