Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is expected to be one of the top picks in this year’s NBA draft. The Bobcats look like they will have a chance to draft him at number two, but in order to rebuild, they would likely trade that pick for multiple picks. The Warriors could quite possibly give them all four of their picks in exchange for the number two pick, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

He is a Lockdown Defender Who Can Defend Multiple Positions

At 6’7, 243 pounds, Michael Kidd Gilchrist can compete with the most athletic small forwards in the NBA because of his big frame. However, he is not limited defensively, as he can guard smaller power forwards and bigger shooting guards.

The Warriors have never been a good defensive team, let alone average. The addition of Andrew Bogut will make a significant difference in the paint, but on the perimeter they still lack a lockdown defender. If the Warriors traded up to get Kidd-Gilchrist he easily could fill that void because he was arguably one of the best defenders in all of college basketball last season.

Relentlessly Attacks the Basket on Offense 

During Kidd-Gilchrist’s 2012 season with Kentucky, he showed that relentlessly attacking the basket by aggressively driving to the hoop is one of his best strengths supported by his 49 percent field goal percentage. This aggressive style of play will instantly make him an impact player in the NBA because there are very few defenders that will be able to get in front of him.

Ever since former Warrior, Monta Ellis was traded last season, the Warriors didn’t have a perimeter player on their roster that is lethal threat to attack the basket. Kidd-Gilchrist would instantly fill that gap which is why the Warriors front office needs to trade up in the draft to get him.

The Warriors have some of the NBA’s best shooters in Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry who both shot in the 40’s from beyond the arc in 2012. However, with Kidd-Gilchrist constantly driving into the paint, they would become even better shooters. Kidd-Gilchrist’s penetration would force the defense to collapse on him, and a simple kick out to the perimeter leaves the likes of Curry and Thompson wide open.  If the shooters knocked down their open looks off penetration from Kidd-Gilchrist, the floor would suddenly stretch out which would benefit the entire offense. So it’s really and win, win opportunity for the Warriors.

He is a Great Rebounder 

In the rebounding department, Kidd-Gilchrist rebounds like a center. At Kentucky he averaged 7.2 rebounds per game, but he played alongside Anthony Davis, who was arguably the best rebounder in college basketball this past season

The Warriors have good rebounders in David Lee and Andrew Bogut who both averaged nine plus rebounds in 2012, and if Kidd-Gilchrist was thrown into the mix, the opposition would have a rough time getting second chance opportunities. Last season, the Warriors gave up 13.2 offensive rebounds per game to their opponents, a league worst. So obviously drafting a good rebounder should be a top priority for the Warriors in this upcoming draft, and there would be no better fit that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.