Warriors Plan to Keep 11th Pick in Deep Draft Class to Add Youth

The Golden State Warriors are expected to keep their 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, according to multiple reports, as they seek to add young talent to a roster that ranks among the oldest in the league. With a draft class viewed as one of the deepest in recent memory, the front office sees value in the selection and is leaning toward using it to bolster their long-term depth. General manager Mike Dunleavy has left no option off the table but the prevailing plan is to retain the pick and select a player in the lottery range.

The Warriors currently have an average player age of 30.2, the fourth-oldest in the NBA. Steph Curry, the franchise’s cornerstone, will turn 38 before next season. The team is looking to surround him with younger legs and fresh energy. The 11th pick gives them a chance to add a versatile, high-upside prospect without sacrificing veteran contributors.

Dunleavy met with reporters in San Francisco and confirmed the team is evaluating all possibilities. “Every option remains open,” he said. “Trading up, trading back, using the pick outright, or attaching it to a deal for a proven player are all under consideration.” However, the plan is leaning toward using the pick in-house.

Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach, has already signaled his support for the development of a rookie. “Totally,” he said when asked if he’d be committed to playing a rookie. “I've talked to Mike. I don't know the draft, but he feels really strongly we're going to get a good player. It could be a 19-year-old and it could be someone older. ... That guy has to play. He's got to earn it. But we're committed to the development of our young players.”

The 2024 draft class is expected to feature a deep group of prospects, with names like Scoot Henderson, Tyus Jones II, and Scooby Mcadoo projected in the lottery. Henderson, a 6'2" point guard from Texas, averaged 24.4 points and 7.9 assists per game in his lone season with the Longhorns. Mcadoo, a 6'9" forward from Kentucky, is a versatile wing with the ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on both ends of the floor.

The 11th pick could also play a role in any potential blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks or Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers. However, such a move would require a significant package and remains speculative at this point.

With the draft set for June 26, the Warriors will continue to evaluate options in the coming weeks. The front office is confident in the depth of the class and sees the 11th pick as a valuable asset regardless of how they proceed.