Robin Lopez.
Seriously. That won’t happen. Still, you have to be concerned about the Warriors chances to nab a difference-maker picking last in the lottery. Maybe Darrell Arthur from Kansas falls. Or Kevin Love from UCLA. Chances are they’ll end up with a project like Lavale McGee from Nevada, who is Patrick O’Bryant with a bit more fire.
I haven’t studied the rookie prospects yet, but from where I sit at this point, the best idea would be to use the pick in a trade to get a difference maker. If No. 14 and a player or two (Al Harrington, Mickael Pietrus) and maybe a future first-rounder gets you Elton Brand, or even someone a tier below, such as Rasheed Wallace, that may be the best move. It may work out when one of those restricted free agents end up unhappy with their contract options and want a trade, a la Charlie Bell last summer. Maybe Josh Smith gets stuck looking at the mid-level because the market is too bare, gets upset that the Hawks lowballed him and asks for a sign-and-trade. This lottery pick could be best used as part of a deal.
I would say use it to move up, but for who? They won’t get high enough to get Rose, or Beasley, or Brook Lopez. Do you jump for Mayo? Jerryd Bayless? Maybe DeAndre Jordan is seductive enough to move up for, but he won’t contribute next year.
The Warriors just don’t need another project. They have too many young players now. Most important, they have a window now. This pick needs to be another resource to capitalizing and getting this team ready to win now. Or the window will close.