NBA Mock Draft: Golden State Warriors Select Malcolm Brogdon From Virginia

NBA Mock Draft Pick #30 -- Malcolm Brogdon, Small Forward, Virginia

SBNation's Warriors blog, Golden State of Mind, explains this pick:

The Warriors' obvious need in this draft after falling short of a title is clearly depth in the frontcourt. However when you look at a contender with 8 free agents, grabbing a player who has the best shot of contributing right away becomes more important because so many at this point don't make it.

When you watch Brogdon, his ability to pass, shoot coming off screens, and play within the team concept makes him a clear fit for the way the Warriors are supposed to play. Defensively, there are concerns about athleticism but I'm reminded of what a Washington State fan told me about Klay Thompson: you don't play that many minutes for Tony Bennett if you don't know how to play defense.

Brogdon is probably the most NBA ready player available, which makes this an easy pick despite his age: the Warriors' time is now and they need guys who can contribute.

Ridiculous Upside analysis: With the final pick of the 2016 SBNation NBA mock draft, the Warriors select a player that will be able to contribute from Day 1. Like the Golden State of Mind editor stated, Brogdon's such a valuable pick because he can contribute in a variety of ways: facilitating, perimeter shooters and being a great team defender. Even with the concerns surrounding his lackluster athleticism, those traits should immediately make him into a solid piece on the Warriors.

1) Philadelphia 76ers: BEN SIMMONS

2) Los Angeles Lakers: BRANDON INGRAM

3) Phoenix Suns (From Boston): DRAGAN BENDER

4) Utah Jazz (From Phoenix): JAMAL MURRAY

5) Denver Nuggets (from Minnesota) : BUDDY HIELD

6) New Orleans Pelicans: KRIS DUNN

7) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver): DENZEL VALENTINE

8) Sacramento Kings: JAYLEN BROWN

9) Toronto Raptors: MARQUESE CHRISS

10) Milwaukee Bucks: DEYONTA DAVIS

11) Sacramento Kings (From Orlando): TIMOTHE LUWAWU

12) Utah Jazz: JAKOB POELTL

13) Denver Nuggets (from Phoenix): SKAL LABISSIERE

14) Chicago Bulls: WADE BALDWIN

15) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver): HENRY ELLENSON

16) Boston Celtics: DOMANTAS SABONIS

17)  Utah Jazz  (from Memphis) : FURKAN KORKMAZ

18) New Orleans Pelicans (from Detroit) : TAUREAN PRINCE

19) Phoenix Suns (from Denver): CHEICK DIALLO

20) Indiana Pacers: JUAN HERNANGOMEZ

21) Atlanta Hawks: DEMETRIUS JACKSON

22) Charlotte Hornets: ANTE ZIZIC

23) Detroit Pistons (from Utah): TYLER ULIS

24) Philadelphia 76ers: DEANDRE BEMBRY

25) Phoenix Suns (from Clippers): GARY PAYTON JR

26) Philadelphia 76ers: ISAIA CORDINIER

27) Toronto Raptors: BRICE JOHNSON

28)  Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah Jazz): IVICA ZUBAC

29) San Antonio Spurs: DAMIAN JONES

30) Golden State Warriors: MALCOLM BROGDON