Team Needs: Golden State had very high hopes for the playoffs last season. Their impressive run at the tail end of the ?04-?05 season was believed to be enough to spark the return of the Warriors to the playoffs. But it wasn?t so. Golden State lost too many close games and the talent on the floor didn?t match the chemistry of a playoff team, nor did it match the system Head Coach Mike Montgomery was running.

Golden State will be looking for either a small forward or a defensive-minded center. But wait, don?t they have Adonal Foyle? The same center they signed to a 5-year, $40+ million contract? Well, let?s just say he didn?t quite work out. They have the improving Andris Biedrins, but his skills offensively remain very raw.

At small forward, Mike Dunleavy was great? when Baron Davis was out of the game. He needs the ball to be effective, to either set up his shot or one for a teammate. But with Davis, who tends to hold the ball a few seconds to long, Dunleavy doesn?t stand the chance at improving his overall game with the same Warriors team that will return. They also have Mickael Pietrus, who had an injury-riddled season, but he may be gone this summer to a team in need of a defensive-minded shooting guard. Orlando, anyone?

Outlook: Depending on how the draft goes, Golden State will look for those two positions. They could reach, and surprise everyone, by going for someone like Thabo Sefolosha. I haven?t seen him play in a full game, but from looking at the stats, watching the few clips I?ve been able to get a hold of and after reading various opinions on him, he would be the role-playing type of small forward the Warriors could use. He wouldn?t be the ball-needing type of 3 Dunleavy is, but he would contribute a whole lot more on the defensive end.

Most Suitable Prospects:

Patrick O?Bryant ? O?Bryant is the athletic center the Warriors could use to counter what Biedrins brings to the table. He has more offense than Biedrins right now and is a prime candidate to improve his overall game by the time he turns 22. He has the upside the Warriors could use in three years. Big and athletic centers don?t come around often. Everyone seems to question his work ethic, but that will be on display when he works out for all 30 teams in Orlando on Wednesday.

Shelden Williams ? Williams is the ready-now player the Warriors could use. He brings the interior defense Foyle has provided. He wasn?t called ?The Landlord? for nothing. He is more suited as a power forward, but with teams going smaller, as the Suns? style is increasingly replicated, he will be fine at center. Williams would be a nice compliment to both Biedrins and Ike Diogu. He won?t command the ball in the post, but he would be able to score in certain situations against some bench players from other teams. It would help his overall game going against Diogu in practice each day, helping him adjust to many post moves as well as pick up a few he doesn?t already have.

Rodney Carney ? Carney is just like Pietrus: a very athletic swingman who has the range on his shot and the capabilities to lockdown his opponent. He may remind the Warriors? brass too much of Pietrus, but Pietrus? stock is relatively low right now and Carney would become a nice player off the bench for them. He?s the type of ticket-seller every team loves to have, but it doesn?t take away from his overall game. He was a bit inconsistent at Memphis, but if he can say he and Morrison had a great workout together at Charlotte, then he may just suit the Warriors? fancy.

Best Case Scenario: Either of these three falls. There isn?t a legit small forward worth taking this high. Carney?s teammate at Memphis, Shawne Williams, could be a slim possibility, but it?s very unlikely the Warriors go this route. Another option is Ronnie Brewer, who has the length and defensive capabilities to play the 3. But the most likely candidate has to be O?Bryant.

A player like O?Bryant comes every so often, especially at the 9th hole. He turns 20 six days before the draft and although the Warriors need some immediate help at the 5, they would be better off drafting O?Bryant and using him as their future center. By the time he fully adapts to his body, watch out, especially if he still has a star shooting guard like Jason Richardson at his side.

Worst Case Scenario: Neither of these three is available. They would either trade down at this point or take someone like Brewer or surprise everyone by taking Sefolosha. Exec. VP Chris Mullin likes to draft talented players like Sefolosha, but drafting the small forward that many consider to be a role player at 9 is too high. That can all change come June 28th, but for now, either of those two would be the worst case.

Other '30 Days, 30 Teams' articles:
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Raptors
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Bulls
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Bobcats
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Blazers
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Hawks
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Wolves
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Celtics
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Rockets
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Warriors
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Sonics
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Magic
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Hornets
30 Days, 30 Teams on the 76ers
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Jazz
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Hornets
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Pacers