The Golden State Warriors will head into the NBA Draft armed with the 11th pick. Steve Kerr’s team has multiple areas of need, with the big man position arguably being the most pressing. After all, the Warriors have struggled to find their long-term answer at center in recent years, leading to an endless stream of bigs passing through the Bay Area.
Fortunately for Golden State, this year’s draft class boasts multiple talented big men. In the latest mock draft from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, the Warriors are predicted to take Adey Mara out of Michigan. Mara, a 7-foot-3 big, has shone over the past year, both on the glass and as a playmaking five, which could give Kerr’s team a new dimension.
“Mara, by far, helped himself the most in the NCAA Tournament,” Vecenie wrote. “I had a vote for Final Four Most Outstanding Player and chose Mara because of how he dominated the semifinal against Arizona (going off for 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks) and how he completely changed the geometry defensively against Connecticut with his ability to guard Tarris Reed Jr. on an island while also shutting down the interior for drivers.”
Mara has spent three years playing at the collegiate level. He’s polished, he’s impactful, and he should be ready to make an impact at the NBA level. Not only would he provide some five-out playmaking for Kerr’s side, but he would also be their best shot deterrent in recent memory, and could form a formidable double-big pairing with Kristaps Porzingis, should he remain with the Warriors beyond the summer.
“Mara combines two skills NBA teams seek in their centers: the ability to shut down the paint and read the court out high as a passer,” Vecenie continued. “Opponents shot 54.5 percent at the rim this season when Mara was on the court compared to better than 60 percent when he was off it, per CBB Analytics. Opposing teams also shot just 36 percent on 2-pointers from the paint when Mara was on the court.”
If Mara is still on the board when its the Warriors turn to pick, they would be wise to bring him to the Bay Area. Not only would he improve the current rotation for the upcoming season, but he could also become a long-term staple of the post-Curry era. It feels like an ideal fit.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Golden State Warriors land Michigan standout in latest mock draft
Reporting by Adam Taylor, Warriors Wire / Warriors Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
