Could the Warriors opt for the tall and versatile Michigan wing?
We’re very close to finding out what players the Golden State Warriors will select at the 2021 NBA Draft. Or what player, if they trade up or partially trade out. Or no players, if they fully trade out.
Everything is on the table. And right now, “everything” includes Michigan forward Franz Wagner.
Just a few day after The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported that Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and James Bouknight were the favorites for the Dubs with their No. 7 pick, Wagner has been starting to gain momentum. That’s how quickly things move in the draft.
Wagner was the Warriors selection in the most recent mock draft from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, with the analyst and draft insider saying, “Wagner was selective in where he worked out during the pre-draft process, electing to skip the NBA combine altogether after an outstanding sophomore season that rocketed him firmly into the top 10. He has continued to rise as teams have gotten to know him better on and off the court.”
The sentiment that Wagner — a tall, defensively-brilliant wing with a nice three-point shot — could be Bay Area bound was shared by some Warriors beat reporters. Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that the fit is strong.
One player who is kind of the prototypical prospect Bob Myers loves: Franz Wagner. Could very well be in the mix for the Warriors at No. 7. Other players to keep an eye on are Jonathan Kuminga (if available), James Bouknight and Josh Giddey.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) July 28, 2021
Wes Goldberg of the Mercury News added that, “There’s a growing belief across the league that Wagner has a promise from the Sacramento Kings that would set his floor at No. 9. But, according to a league source, Wagner did conduct a private workout with Golden State and the possibility of the Warriors making him the seventh pick is gaining steam.”
In case you just want to drown under all the possible selections, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has the Warriors selecting Josh Giddey in his mock draft, and notes that the team has interest in Keon Johnson as well.
We’ll know soon enough.