116 Comments

Duarte.

I don't think we need to swing for the fences with another project here in Johnson. Meanwhile, the other guy is projected as "Klay lite"? Sign me up.

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Johnson.

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The kd titles were cool but I would have much rather our original core won another one by themselves please dont do it again

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Duarte. His size and shooting are just *chefs kiss* he’d be a great Warrior.

Instantly impactful, I could see him realistically being a good postseason player from the jump too.

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This is a tough one, but I'll go with Duarte. There's some precedent for high value older prospects -- Brogdon of course, but also Derrick White, Cam Johnson, Buddy Hield, RoCo, Joe Harris etc.

Duarte's skillset is just so appealing, and he seems to be a high IQ guy with a chip on his shoulder, which gets him a couple points in my book. I think the average value of Duarte's possible outcomes is higher than JJ's due to a higher floor, and more likelihood of achieving his (albeit lower) ceiling.

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Here's my problem: This is more than just a question of who I like better as a player, because at 7, I have to consider the opportunity cost; while in a vacuum I think I'd prefer Duarte on the Warriors over Johnson, I also think that Duarte (or someone like him) is more likely to be available at 14, too. And because Johnson wouldn't be going to a terrible team where he might be tempted to try and be the best player right away, he might be more apt to fall in line and follow Kerr, Steph, Draymond, Klay, and Looney's leadership. So while I'd feel more comfortable with Duarte on the team, I think his general skillset is a bit more replicable later in the draft, so I'm voting Johnson.

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From the highlights, it looks like Garuba's passing is quite advanced - he had a couple of really nifty, mid-level reads not many Cs can make.

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I know this is OT, but the more film of these kids I look at, the more I’m convinced the dubs should pick Wagner at #7 if they aren’t packaging these picks for a Lavine type player (who, incidentally, played awesomely tonight)

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I’m liking Duarte in this peculiar…er particular match up

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Duarte.

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It's hilarious how much better the team is with Johnson instead of Beal. Now if only they had a PG who passed.

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Finally, some shots go in

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Green hurt his shooting elbow...

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I love basketball, but it often doesn’t return the sentiment

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Duarte. I'm not with those who put "win now" over building a team I can enjoy for the next decade, and 24 is plenty young enough for years of wins. I'd also answer a solid "yes" to the question. "would you take a FA with Duarte's skills at his price?" JJ doesn't meet my eye test and his upside looks a long way off to me.

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Usman Garuba playing against the USA right now

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