Did the Warriors quietly draft two hidden gems to keep their title window alive?

After a turbulent few years trying to bridge the gap between eras, the Golden State Warriors once again find themselves straddling the line between aging greatness and youthful promise. Their 2025 NBA Draft class, while modest in terms of star power, reflects a franchise still chasing titles. Now, though, they have a sharper eye on roster balance and long-term viability. Sure, they didn’t swing for the fences. However, the Warriors made smart, system-conscious selections that could pay dividends sooner than later.

The 2024-25 Season: Jimmied Open

Golden State’s 48-34 finish might not jump off the page, but context is everything. The Jimmy Butler trade changed Golden State’s fortunes. The fit isn’t seamless, yes. Butler’s scoring aggression waxes and wanes, and the reintroduction of Jonathan Kuminga continues to feature his usual peaks and valleys. That said, the team overall is undeniably better off.
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Truth be told, Golden State’s core showed real progress. Since Butler’s arrival, they’ve fielded a top-seven offense and defense. Stephen Curry forced himself back into the First-Team All-NBA conversation, and critically, the Warriors dominated the minutes Butler played even without Steph. Draymond Green’s defense resembled his prime years, too.

Their second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves stings. However, it’s also a statement: this team is closer than it was last season. With that context in mind, the Warriors’ 2025 Draft wasn’t about gambling on high-upside swings. It was about deepening a team already on the verge of something more.

Here we will hand out grades for every player whom the Golden State Warriors picked at the recent 2025 NBA Draft.

Alex Toohey, F, Sydney Kings

Grade: B

In a draft with few surefire bets in the mid-to-late first round, Alex Toohey might just be the type of player the Warriors can make shine. The Australian forward’s combination of defensive grit and unselfish ball movement aligns beautifully with Golden State’s free-flowing offense. Think of him as a younger, taller Shaun Livingston with a bit more playmaking juice.

Toohey doesn’t create much offense for himself. He is heavily reliant on rhythm shooting. That streakiness, could limit his floor time early in his career. However, within Steve Kerr’s motion offense, his feel for the game should translate. This is especially true if he earns trust on the defensive end. If Toohey can become a consistent 35-37 percent three-point shooter and hold his own defensively, there’s a clear path to minutes behind Butler and Kuminga. If his jumper truly clicks? The Warriors might have snagged one of the sneakiest rotational wings of this class.

In essence, Toohey feels like a Warrior pick. He is someone whose impact goes beyond the box score. The B grade reflects his need for growth as a scorer, but the upside within this system is quietly intriguing.