On the day before the 2018 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors held workouts for 6 backcourt prospects, perhaps hinting at who’ll become their newest player.
Anthony Slater reported that the players who participated in the workouts were Hamidou Diallo, Jacob Evans, Allerik Freeman, Devon Hall, Jordan Howard, and Gary Trent, Jr.
The Warriors currently hold the 28th pick and there are rumors that they’re considering purchasing a second round pick.
It’s very likely that at least one of these players will ultimately be selected by the Warriors during the draft tomorrow.
NBADraft.net has the Warriors selecting Trent, Jr. with the number 28 pick. In that same mock draft, Evans gets picked at number 30 and Diallo gets picked at 48 in their most recent mock draft.
The Ringer has the Warriors selecting Evans with the number 28 pick. In that same mock draft, Diallo gets picked at number 40, Trent, Jr. gets picked at number 42, and Hall gets picked at number 56 in their most recent mock draft.
Sports Illustrated has Diallo getting picked at number 35, Evans getting picked at number 36, Trent, Jr. getting picked at number 42, and Hall getting picked at number 55 in their most recent mock draft.
The Sporting News has Evans getting picked at number 27, Diallo getting picked at number 40, Trent, Jr. getting picked at 41, and Hall getting picked at number 53 in their most recent mock draft.
It seems like of the 6 players working out, 4 of them are expected to get drafted on June 21: Evans, Trent, Jr., Diallo, and Hall.
Diallo looks like he’ll go somewhere in the late 30s or early 40s, meaning he’s projected to go around the part of the second round the Warriors have bought picks in the last two drafts.
Hall looks like he’ll go somewhere in the 50s, so the Warriors aren’t going to pick him unless they buy a pick in the 50s.
That leaves Evans and Trent, Jr. as seemingly the two main candidates the Warriors are targeting with their number 28 pick.
The most recent ESPN and CBS Sports mock drafts both have the Warriors drafting Trent, Jr. with the number 28 pick.
Trent, Jr. is a 6’6’’ shooting guard out of Duke who’s an excellent outside shooter, while Evans is a 6’6’’ shooting guard out of Cincinnati who’s a great defender.
It’s going to be interesting to see who the Warriors will pick. Based on their past picks, this front office has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt in regards to the player they ultimately select.