At the very end of the NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors have slipped in yet another move, as if they hadn’t already made enough on a draft day that was already packed with activity.
The Warriors have traded Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the Wizards for the 57th overall pick as part of the deal that saw them acquire Chris Paul in exchange for Jordan Poole. Shams Charania of The Athletic claims that Golden State selected Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis with that pick.
On draft day, the Golden State Warriors have made yet another stunning move that demonstrates their determination to concentrate on the present.
Before selecting guard Brandin Podziemski with the 19th overall pick, the Warriors had a huge day that began with the huge Poole-Paul trade. The deal should bring an end to that day. Even though some fans will be sad to lose Baldwin, who had a promising rookie season, it shows that the Warriors want to improve their short-term situation.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic made the point that the Warriors are basically trading Baldwin out for Jackson-Davis because they think that Jackson-Davis, who is 23 years old and has four years of college experience, can become a rotation player more quickly.
It’s likewise an expense cutting move for Brilliant State who will presently require on the less expensive second-round agreement of Jackson-Davis, as opposed to focusing on Baldwin’s marginally expanded $2.3 million arrangement in 2023-24.
Jackson-Davis, a 6’9″ power forward/center who averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and four assists in his senior year with the Indiana Hoosiers, could also fulfill the Warriors’ need for rotational frontcourt players.
In his one season with the Warriors, Baldwin played 7.3 minutes per game in 31 games, showing some promise as a perimeter shooter at 6’9″ with an impressive 38.1% three-point shooting percentage.
Poole, Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, a 2027 second-round pick, and a top-20 protected first-round pick in 2030 should come from the finalized deal for Paul and Jackson-Davis. The Warriors’ decision to focus on free agency or Mike Dunleavy Jr.’s intention to carry out additional trade maneuvers that could have a significant impact on the franchise remains to be seen.
