NBA Draft 2021: 'Gifted' 6-Foot-8 Playmaker Likened To Rubio Wants To Join Warriors

A notable playmaker in the 2021 NBA Draft class likes the idea of joining the Golden State Warriors.

With the NBA Draft quickly approaching, the Warriors have been scrutinizing their options for the 7th and 14th pick. A couple of names have been thrown at the said spots in mock drafts, but Australian prospect Josh Giddey recently spoke about his “dream” of joining the Dubs.

In an exclusive interview with Jason Dumas of KRON4, he is certain that his playmaking game is suited for sharpshooters like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

“Playing with guys like Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] who are so good without the ball and moving without it, for a passer like myself I think it’s a dream world,” Giddey said.

Giddey also stressed that there are “so many good things” about the Warriors that make the team perfect for honing his skills.

“To be around those guys — the veterans — and to learn from two of the best guards of all time would be such a bonus, and obviously Draymond [Green] is known for being a high-level leader and then under Steve Kerr’s coaching system there is just so many good things about the Warriors,” he added.

Scouting experts have been raving about Giddey’s qualities, and at 6-foot-8, the NBL Australia star is easily one of the most unique prospects in this year’s NBA Draft class.

NBA.com’s Kyle Irving earlier said Giddey is a "gifted playmaker who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end."

Moreover, Irving recently elaborated on the ongoing comparisons of Giddey to Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio.

Based on Irving’s analysis, he sees a lot of Rubio in Giddey, who also presents a strong case to become one of the “best passers” in the NBA.

“It was one of the comparisons I made in my Mock Draft, but I like the idea of Giddey projecting to be like Ricky Rubio,” Irving told Sporting News. “[Rubio’s] not the fastest or most explosive athlete — he isn't the deadliest shooter either — but his feel for the game helps him overcome those flaws to make him one of the best passers in the NBA, and I feel the same way about Giddey at his full potential.”

“Giddey just might be the best passer in this draft class,” he added. “His ability to make advanced reads, pass off of a live dribble with either hand, thread the needle in tight spaces and use his height to his advantage to skip passes over the top of the defence is what separates him from others. He's always looking to find ways to set up his teammates for easy buckets, and that's where I feel he's cut from the same cloth as Rubio.”