Mo' Money Mo' Speights

What the Warriors need address during the offseason:

• rebounding, obviously
  
• backup point guard
• swingman

This year's draft class is weaker than last, especially outside the top 10. Even though the Warriors pick 14th, there is one player that can fill the void--Marreese Speights--who happens to fall right into the no man's land of the draft.



Speights, a legit 6'10 F/C out of Florida, has a developed body coupled with a long wingspan. Although he is still quite raw, which seems to be the theme of the draft, he was a highly productive player in college and has considerable upside. Two aspects of his game that would put him into Nellie's good books are his inside-outside game and his jumper.

How would he help the Warriors?

His wingspan lengthens the already stretchy frontcourt of Biedrins and Wright. The Warriors' big men aren't going to push anyone around anytime soon, so length will be the main focus to match the Lakers' Odom/Gasol/Bynum and frustrate the likes of Boozer and Duncan.

His jumper, as mentioned earlier, stretches the defense and allows Nellie to draw up some gimmick plays. If Wright can hone his jumper, imagine how difficult it would be for opposing teams to defend five players who can all stretch the floor. I realize that's putting conditional on conditional (if Wright actually plays, if Speights actually plays, if Wright and Speights actually play together), but it's nice to think about.

Additional links:
HoopsWorld: Pree explains Speights and the Warriors' other draft needs in a much more eloquent fashion than I do.
Draft Express
YouTube: Grainy and short, but displays Speights' athleticism