Warriors Could Take a ‘Big Picture' Player With This Draft Prospect

We’re less than a week removed from the 2026 NBA Combine, and the performances from the college athletes who took part in the event is already shaking up mock drafts.

The Golden State Warriors have their work cut out for them ahead of the 2026-27 season. They didn’t make the playoffs and finished the regular season with a 37–45 record.

In a mock draft from NBC Sports published on Monday, May 18, Raphielle Johnson and Kurt Helin have the Warriors using their No. 11 selection in the draft to take forward Nate Ament of Tennessee.

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“What is Golden State looking for in the draft? Do they want a win-now guy who can help the Stephen Curry/Draymond Green core (with Jimmy Butler coming back midseason) make some playoff noise?” Helin asks. “If so, they might go with someone else, like Yaxel Lendeborg.”

Helin adds: “However, I am betting the Warriors think bigger picture and longer term, and they bet on the potential of Ament - a 6’10” forward who can dribble, pass and shoot, a player archetype that is hard to find. He's shown flashes, but he needs to get much stronger and prove he can be consistent. There is hope here.”

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My Analysis: What Makes Nate Ament a Fit for the Warriors?

The Golden State Warriors are in a bit of a crisis mode, and now isn’t the time for them to take chances. What makes Ament a good pick for the team is that he’s reliable, steady and consistently showed signs that he’ll be able to excel in the NBA under the right leadership. He’s not perfect, but his flashes of strong plays show that he’s ready to be taken to the next level.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 10:03 AM.