What if, when the Warriors are on the clock during the NBA draft June 25, a lauded big man is there for the taking?
What if a 6-foot-10, 235-pound, athletic inside player who some predict could go as high as No. 2 overall, was still on the board for Golden State at No. 7? What if the Warriors had a chance to grab a player who eventually could fill their need for a low-post scorer without slowing down their pace? "I hear some people saying they do need a point guard," Arizona power forward Jordan Hill said of the Warriors . "But that could change. It could be they want a big man."
Hill, a 21-year-old junior, held a solo workout with the Warriors on Friday. He said he was "pretty good" in his showing, which included running the floor, shooting mid-range jumpers and working with his left hand.
Hill had dinner with Coach Don Nelson on Thursday and said he walked away feeling that No. 7 might be the lowest he would go.
"He said if I'm not picked in the top six," Hill said, "they're probably going to take me."
Drafting Hill could give the Warriors some flexibility to trade a couple of big men. He also has the girth to play center well, at least more than power forwards Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright so the team could add Hill without hindering the development of Randolph.
Though Memphis (at No. 2), Oklahoma City (No. 3) and Washington (No. 5) are in the market for a young big man, Hill said that falling to No. 7 would not be a disappointment. He said he would fit with the Warriors' style of play and would relish trying to fill their need for inside scoring.
Golden State has a stable of power forward/center types in Andris Biedrins, Ronny Turiaf, Randolph and Wright. Hill perhaps would be the best inside scorer and among the top rebounders. He lacks fundamentals and polish, largely because of his inexperience, so he probably wouldn't walk into the starting lineup.
"I heard he's real hard on rookies," Hill said of Nelson. "That's fine. Lute Olson was that way at Arizona."
