Golden State’s Draft Philosophy Is Clear - But Is It Enough to Help Curry Chase One More Ring?
The Warriors missed out on Giannis Antetokounmpo. That ship has sailed - and with it, perhaps, the last real shot Golden State had at adding a generational co-star next to Stephen Curry during the twilight of his prime. Now, the franchise faces a sobering question: What’s the plan from here?
For a team with championship DNA and a transcendent point guard still capable of rewriting games, the path forward is anything but simple. Do they make a bold move, maybe finally consider parting ways with Draymond Green? Or do they stay the course, stockpile draft picks, and hope they hit on the right one before Curry’s window closes?
According to the latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft, the Warriors may be leaning toward the latter. Their projected pick? Braylon Mullins out of UConn - a name that fits the mold of the type of players Golden State has gravitated toward in recent years: high-IQ, low-maintenance, and ready to contribute without dominating the ball.
And that’s the crux of it. Mullins isn’t a future superstar, but he might be exactly the kind of player the Warriors think they need right now.
He’s averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists this season while shooting a strong 38.4% from three. He moves well without the ball, makes quick reads, and doesn’t need a high usage rate to make an impact - all traits that tend to thrive in Steve Kerr’s system.
Christopher Kline summed it up well: “There is also much to like about how quickly Mullins processes the game overall. His constant motion and ambitious shot-making should win over Steve Kerr. While Mullins offers limited utility as a self-creator, his movement shooting, connective passing and overall play-finishing should mean a high floor offsets a lower ceiling.”
That’s a pretty accurate read. Mullins isn’t going to carry a second unit or take over a playoff game.
But he can fit in, play his role, and give Curry another reliable shooter and smart decision-maker on the floor. In that sense, he’s a classic Warriors pick - and a potential signal that the team is returning to its draft-day roots: prioritize fit over flash.
It’s a strategy that’s worked in spots. Golden State has gotten solid value out of later picks like Brandin Podziemski, Quinten Post, Will Richard, and Gui Santos - players who’ve found ways to contribute without needing the spotlight.
But when they’ve swung for upside, the results have been mixed at best. James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga were high-ceiling bets that haven’t quite paid off the way the front office hoped.
So now, with Curry still performing at an elite level but the clock ticking louder every season, the Warriors are doubling down on what they know: surround their star with smart, system-friendly players who can keep the offense humming and the defense respectable.
But here’s the dilemma - can you truly chase another championship without taking a bigger swing?
Mullins might help the Warriors stay competitive. He might even be a rotation mainstay.
But he’s unlikely to be the difference between a second-round exit and another Finals run. And that’s the real question looming over Golden State’s front office: Is it time to push all the chips in for one last ride with Curry?
Or do they keep playing the long game, hoping that steady drafting and internal development will eventually tip the scales?
If Mullins is the pick, it’s another nod toward patience. Another calculated, low-risk move. And maybe, just maybe, another missed opportunity to go big while Curry’s still got some magic left.
For now, the Warriors seem content to stay the course. But as the Western Conference gets younger, deeper, and more dynamic, it’s fair to wonder how many more chances they’ll get to make the leap.