The NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, and the Golden State Warriors have remained at pick No. 11. While some may see this as a disappointment, I believe it presents an exciting opportunity for the team to add a talented rookie to their roster. However, the Warriors could also consider trading the pick for a proven star. Either way, there are several prospects worthy of a look in the late lottery range. One such prospect is Nate Ament, a versatile 6-foot-10 forward who handled like a guard. His upside could be as high as anyone's outside the top-four, but the question remains whether the Warriors have the appetite to stomach another project. Another prospect to watch is Labaron Philon, a point guard with the tightest handle in the class and a fearlessness in the paint. Philon has the tools to overcome his relative size disadvantage and could be a perfect fit for the Warriors' desire to pair Curry with a bigger, stouter guard. Yaxel Lendeborg, a point forward who spent six years in college and led Michigan to a national championship, is also an intriguing prospect. Lendeborg can do a little bit of everything, but the question remains whether his jack-of-all-trades act will be effective in the NBA. Aday Mara, Lendeborg's teammate, is a bit of a different prospect with more delineated skills and weaknesses. He has good hands, which makes him a true lob threat, but the faster, spacier NBA game could make it harder for Mara to play big minutes. Karim Lopez, a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, is another prospect to watch. Lopez has elite upside and flashed star potential in the NBL, but the jump shot and overall offensive refinement are question marks at the moment. Overall, the Warriors have a strong track record in the draft and now have the chance to take their biggest crack yet. Whether they choose to add a rookie who's ready to contribute right away or package the pick in a trade for a proven star, the team has several exciting prospects to consider in the late lottery range.
