One good thing about the Warriors no longer part of the NBA season restart in Orlando, the team's focus is now trained on preparing for the next season and the Dubs mean business. Ahead of the 2020 Draft, the former NBA champs are said to have identified their possible top pick in the person of Tyrese Haliburton.
Standing 6-foot-5, the Iowa State sensation made his mark in year No. 2 and he averaged over 15 points per game. He was mostly noticed for his court intelligence and accurate sniping. Haliburton shot 50.4% from the field and from beyond the arc, he converted nearly half of his three-point attempts.
According to Bleacher Report, the Warriors are "high" on the guard and the team is inclined to make him their top pick in October.
Citing the report from Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the news story said the Warriors see in Haliburton a Shaun Livingston, whose contribution to the Dubs' dominance in the 2010s led to five NBA Finals appearances, and three of which were won.
While Haliburton is a bit shorter, Givony said the NCAA star's experience could potentially replicate the strength shown by Livingston while playing for GSW. The latter provided depth and leadership whenever on the floor but most importantly, he played his key role in supporting the Warriors superstars to near-perfection.
"Haliburton is a tall, exceptionally smart player with a polished jumper who would thrive playing off of stars," Givony wrote.
NBC Sports said the 20-year-old guard is seen to fit well with the Warriors gameplay that highlights the skills of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins. If the Bay Area team gets to secure the services of Halliburton, there is little doubt he will shine in the years to come.
The prospect of the Cyclones star making it to the NBA and becoming part of the Warriors roster won the endorsement of his college coach, Steve Prohm.
"He's a ball mover, and he can play the 1, 2 or 3 at the next level. And he's all about winning, all about doing the right things," Prohm was reported as saying.
Halliburton hurt his wrist in February and the injury put an end to his season with Iowa. But reports have indicated the youngster is working hard to regain full strength and is already looking forward to becoming part of the big league.
He is currently rated as No. 13 in the draft pool, and the collegiate star said joining an NBA team alone will serve as a fulfillment of his playing career. Prohm has identified the Warriors or the Spurs as the best fit for his former star player.
