Golden State Warriors: 2017 NBA Draft Grades

The Warriors may not have had a pick, but that didn’t stop them from getting into the draft. Let’s see how they graded out.

Jordan Bell (38 via Chicago) / Power Forward / Oregon

Grade: A

Stats: 10.9 points / 8.8 rebounds / 2.2 blocks / 63.6 field goal percentage

Analysis: The Warriors acquired the rights to Bell in return for $3.5 million cash, the maximum cash consideration possible in this type of deal. The Warriors got a shot-blocking forward that can immediately contribute. This was a great addition to a team that is already considered to be one of the greatest in NBA history.

Fit:

• The Warriors’ only “problem” (if you can even call it that) is depth off the bench, along with paint protection. After giving up Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli last summer, Kevin Durant was able to help control the interior on the defensive end, but it could always get better. The depth of the Warriors was a big concern going into their 2016–17 championship season. The champs proved the critics wrong in that regard, but depth never hurts.
• What does Bell contribute? Depth and shot-blocking. It’s almost as if the Warriors are light years ahead of the rest of the NBA. Identify a weakness, then fix it. Incredible logic, right? Bell is explosive enough to get easy looks at the rim at the next level, but does not look to be an offensive force. This should not be a problem with Golden State as they have arguably the two best offensive players in the league in Curry and Durant. As TNT’s David Aldridge pointed out, it was a surprise that Bell was not taken in the first round, and fell to the 38th slot. The Warriors got a steal with Jordan Bell.

• Steve Kerr seems to be high on James Michael McAdoo, who shares a position with Bell, so he may not get minutes right away but, they got him for a reason. It is a possibility that David West retires after getting that elusive first ring, but he may stay. Either way, he is an aging talent that is not really in the Warriors’ plans for the future. Look for McAdoo and Bell to fight for minutes in the backup four role.
• The Warriors are obviously a win-now team, so Bell is there to contribute right away. They are not building for five years down the road. They are all-in right now.

Jordan Bell is a player who’s ready to contribute to the team immediately, and the Warriors have him at a bargain price. This was an excellent buy of a pick.