2021 NBA Mock Draft — 14. Trey Murphy III, Golden State Warriors
The Warriors took Kuminga at seven, settling for a high-upside player who may not contribute as a rookie. With this pick, Golden State grabs a potential rotation piece. Trey Murphy has been steadily rising up draft boards all summer, and for good reason. He’s the quintessential 3-and-D wing, with a clean 3-point stroke and excellent defensive instincts.
At 6-foot-9, Murphy fits Golden State’s long-held tradition of versatile role players situated around Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Murphy will not create his own shot, but there’s no need for that in Golden State. He would simply hit spot-up 3s, play off the gravity of the Warriors’ star backcourt, and do his part for the Warriors’ defense.
Murphy is a very disruptive defender, with quick hands and great free-safety potential. He would learn a lot from Draymond. Even if the Warriors were to trade this pick, it seems more and more likely that Murphy will come off the board in this range, rather than later in the first round, like many evaluators predicated a month ago.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 13