Warriors’ Mike Dunleavy will ‘explore everything’ with 11th pick in NBA Draft

SAN FRANCISCO – With Steve Kerr locked in for the next two years, now the offseason really begins for general manager Mike Dunleavy and the Golden State Warriors.And one of those tasks will be deciding what to do with their lottery 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a valuable chip that gives Golden State a lot of optionality as they look to address their big needs this summer.“It's a lottery pick, and I think in a strong draft we feel like we can get a good player, so we'll look at it that way, but we'll look at everything. ” Dunleavy said.“If there's offers for the pick, to move up, move back, trade for a veteran player that could help us, we'll definitely look at all that stuff. It's early in the process right now, and just got through with the combine. So, going through that stuff, starting to evaluate the prospects, but we feel pretty good about 11. Had some good success there before.”The success Dunleavy was referring to was when the Warriors drafted Klay Thompson with the 11th pick back in 2011, which, if Golden State can draft a player of that caliber, they'll definitely feel good about where they are headed.But given the state of the roster and where the Warriors are in their timeline, it's not a surprise that Dunleavy's maintaining an open approach to that asset. It's hard to find rookies who can contribute right away, which is what the Warriors may prioritize in order to keep the Stephen Curry train rolling.And while there are a couple of draft picks who could help immediately, with Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg seeming like the frontrunner pick for the Warriors, there's a real urgency in Golden State to make the most of their dying days.Prospects of trading the pickDarren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesWith ClutchPoints' insider Brett Siegel reporting the Warriors are likely to move the pick, there are plenty of ways the Warriors could use the 11th overall pick in a trade.They could pile it together with the rest of their draft capital and go big fish hunting. Could they entice the Milwaukee Bucks or the Los Angeles Clippers to part with Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard? Or could they do a smaller move like Michael Porter Jr. or Trey Murphy, two players they've always been interested in? Dunleavy was mum on whether or not the Warriors will go big fish hunting, but expressed that it's a possibility.“As far as trade acquisition stuff, I mean, we're probably always in the conversation, frankly, because we have the draft capital to be,” Dunleavy said. “So we'll always look at stuff. Whatever we can do to make the team better.”Even still, the prospects of trading the pick rely on there being a right move out there for Golden State. This is a front office that rarely gambles. They have to believe in what they are getting before committing their assets. And as Steve Kerr made clear in his own presser, there is a commitment and alignment to building a foundation for the future.“One of the things I feel really strongly about is I want to lay a stronger foundation for next season that will carry forward for years to come, beyond when I'm here,” Kerr said. I think that's important to the franchise. I know that it's important to Steph and Draymond, and frankly, this year, I think we got a little away from that.”Drafting a project versus drafting a win-now playerEakin Howard-Imagn ImagesShould Golden State keep the pick, the debate will be picking between a player that positions them better for the present versus a player that positions them better for the future. What Tennessee's Nate Ament can give to Golden State in the present is vastly different than what the 24-year-old Lendeborg can produce and vice versa.But for Dunleavy, the draft process is not as simple as win-now or win-later.“I think there'll be a temptation to feel like, you know, let's try and draft somebody that can step in and play right away. It's just so hard in the draft to be able to accept that,” Dunleavy explained. “I think you get caught up a little bit, and you get some trouble doing that. We'll just draft who we think's gonna be the best player for us for our franchise moving forward.”Regardless of whatever rookie they draft, they'll play. Kerr will make sure of that.“I think that's a huge factor, and I think we're in a different place now. There's no question,” Kerr said regarding committing to playing a rookie. “It's obvious where we are with the injuries to Moses and Jimmy. You look at our depth on the wings. That guy has to play. He's got to earn it, but we're committed to the development of our young players and trying to do this thing in a way that allows for success down the road.”Dunleavy expressed a similar commitment to “long-term development” and shared his confidence in the strength of the draft around the 11th pick as the Warriors begin their due diligence. They'll have some time between now and the draft to decide whether it's worth it to keep the pick or deal for a veteran.SAN FRANCISCO – With Steve Kerr locked in for the next two years, now the offseason really begins for general manager Mike Dunleavy and the Golden State Warriors. And one of those tasks will be deciding what to do with their lottery 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a valuable chip that gives Golden State a lot of optionality as they look to address their big needs this summer.