National Basketball Association

Surprise, Warriors go with big man for their first-round draft pick

Published Jun. 23, 2016 10:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Golden State Warriors got the big man they were looking for and then went looking for a supplemental pick.

The Warriors locked in on Damian Jones early, grabbing him with the 30th overall pick of the first round Thursday night. They were a little lucky in obtaining Patrick McCaw, whom they got from the Milwaukee Bucks eight picks later.

"When we drafted Jones, we did not have anything in place," Warriors general manager Bob Myers said. "I knew we wanted to stay in play and had several players in mind. The second round goes pretty fast and 38 is pretty close to 30. We had to act."

Unless something happens, the Warriors' next pick comes in 2018. The Utah Jazz get the Warriors' next three picks as part of a three-way trade with the Denver Nuggets that brought Andre Iguodala to Golden State in 2013. The Nuggets get the Warriors' second pick in 2018.

The 7-foot Jones is just the Warriors' second draft pick since 2012. They did not make a selection in 2013 and 2014.

"We wanted to get bigger and we wanted to get younger," Myers said. "We're excited about the players we were able to add. We had them rated higher than 30, so they're players with good value."

Jones underwent surgery for a torn pectoral muscle recently, though Myers was unconcerned. He should be fully recovered by the start of the season.

"He's a guy worth waiting for," Myers said. "It's the kind of injury that heals 100 percent and doesn't linger. He has good hands, we like his shot blocking and the way he finishes at the rim. He tested well athletically for his size and big guys are hard to come by."

Jones, who declared for the NBA following his junior year, joins fellow Commodore Festus Ezeli as a 30th overall pick.

Jones, who turns 21 in a week, leaves Vanderbilt with 1,313 points and 167 blocks, second on the school's all-time list.

Golden State drafted UCLA's Kevon Looney with the 30th overall pick last year. Looney is recovering from left hip surgery and won't participate in summer league. The hope is he will be healthy for training camp or at the latest near the start of the regular season.

Golden State scouts liked McCaw, who played two years at UNLV before declaring, for his versatility. The 6-7 guard can play multiple positions and defend multiple positions.

Myers confirmed the Warriors bought the pick for around $2.4 million.

"Even if he becomes a rotational player, it's a good deal," Myers said. "He's a play-making type kid."

McCaw, who averaged 12.2 points and 3.3 assists with the Runnin' Rebels, will participate in the summer league for the Warriors.