
DRAFT PICKS:
Stephen Curry, G, 6-3, Davidson (first round) -- Heady player whose father, Dell, played 16 seasons in the NBA ... Dead-eye perimeter shooter who demonstrated exceptional ball-distribution skills last season as a junior. FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Warriors have their top 10 players all under contract for next season. Rather than signing free agents, the Warriors seem focused on making a trade. The discussed deal would bring Amare Stoudemire to Golden State for a package of three or four players.
PLAYER NEWS:
--C Ronny Turiaf, who starred at forward during his collegiate career at Gonzaga, played almost exclusively center as Andris Biedrins' backup last season. He'd find himself playing even more center -- perhaps as a starter -- if Biedrins, as rumored, were part of the package required to acquire Amare Stoudemire from the Suns. One problem: The aggressive Turiaf averaged almost two fouls for every 12 minutes of playing time.
--F Anthony Randolph demonstrated the type of versatility as a rookie last season that would encourage the Warriors to acquire a power forward. The lanky, long-striding LSU product had been projected as an NBA power forward because of his limited shooting range. But he almost immediately showed a comfort level on the perimeter and would be considered an elite-level rebounder for a small forward. The Warriors are convinced he could play small forward alongside Amare Stoudemire and Ronny Turiaf, or power forward when one of those two was off the floor.
--F Kelenna Azubuike also has been mentioned as part of the trade for Amare Stoudemire. One rumor had him as part of the package that would also include Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli and Stephen Curry. Another report had Azubuike, who ranked among the league's top 3-point shooters last season, serving as an either/or with Curry as the fourth player in the package.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Jermareo Davidson (surgery on stress fracture in left foot) has been working out at the Warriors' practice facility in Oakland and appears well on his way to being fully healthy for the start of training camp in October.