Los Angeles Lakers among the five winners of 2017 NBA Draft
Golden State Warriors
The rich got richer on draft night. The Warriors came into the 2017 NBA Draft fresh off their second NBA Finals victory in three years and without any selections. The Warriors didn’t sit around resting on their laurels, as they added to their already insanely deep roster.
For the second time on this list, we have the Chicago Bulls making a head-scratching trade. The Bulls traded the 38th overall pick to the Warriors in exchange for a record $3.5 million. With the pick, the Warriors selected Oregon center, Jordan Bell; as if the Warriors needed any more help.
It was the second consecutive year that the Warriors bought the 38th pick in the draft; last year they did it to land UNLV guard, Patrick McCaw. If Bell works out like McCaw did, the Warriors have once again come away with a steal.
If there was anything the Warriors lacked at times last season was a rim protector. Bell fits that role perfectly, as he can be as versatile as Draymond Green defensively. That is not an easy thing to do, but Bell is that athletically gifted and that much of a difference maker on that end of the court.
Next: Full 2017 NBA Draft First Round Grades
Bell couldn’t have landed in a much situation, and the Warriors couldn’t have found a much better fit. If Bell ever develops offensively, he will be a monster in the NBA. The Warriors got quite a steal in Bell, who can play right away based on his defensive talent alone.