Warriors Could Draft Darryn Peterson in NBA Draft

Merlin sees Golden State treating the draft as a welcome distraction after a lost season and Curry inching toward the end. With contending off the table the Dubs still could land a top-10 pick or, with a brutal finish or lottery luck, a top-four slot. The mock had Nate Ament at No. 15, but the story walks through fits at No. 10 like Mullins, Haugh and Lendeborg and higher upside targets if they climb into the top four. Merlin muses that at No. 10 the Warriors will likely pick fit and readiness over ceiling, chasing shooters and versatile wings to space the floor. If they somehow hit the top four, the pull toward a high-upside piece like Peterson grows, even as scouts call him "He's elite, elite, elite." The choice will balance present spacing with a long-term successor plan.