With the 2026 edition of the NFL draft in the books, draft fans can now turn their attention to the NBA draft. While the lottery isn't set yet, it's never too early to see what players are being projected to the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
In the latest mock from Christopher Kline of Fadsided, the Warriors landed a standout guard from the loaded 2026 freshman class. With the No. 11 pick, Kline penned Arizona guard Brayden Burries to the Warriors. According to Kline, Burries projects as an "ideal backcourt partner for Stephen Curry."
Brayden Burries is an older freshman, but few guards more clearly drove winning in college basketball this season. There will be skeptics of a smaller guard who isn't a primary engine, but Burries does so much dirty work on both ends. The motor is relentless; he's an attentive free safety with the strength and quickness to lock up the point of attack against a variety of matchups when called upon. He's also an efficient spot-up shooter, a crafty driver with elite finishing numbers (65 percent at the rim!) and a mistake-free, low-turnover connector.Golden State appears to be entering a new era — perhaps without Steve Kerr and his signature motion offense. Burries projects an the ideal backcourt partner for Stephen Curry, almost regardless of context. He will muck things up defensively and embrace his role with decisive decision-making and a real pro's aura. The Dubs still want winners, no doubt, and Burries is a winner.
Read the full mock draft from Kline at Fansided here.
Burries spent one season under Tommy Lloyd at Arizona, averaging 16.1 points on 49.1% shooting from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc. Burries notched 25 or more points in five different games for the Wildcats last season with his career-high coming against Colorado. Burries tallied 31 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field with seven boards and five steals against the Buffaloes.
Arizona’s Brayden Burries has been playing with a ton of confidence as of late, fueling even more star power at Arizona He’s averaging 20.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.4 APG in his last 5 games while shooting 61%Burries combination of positional size, athleticism and shotmaking off the… pic.twitter.com/P0F77H15sS
Along with fellow freshman Koa Peat and Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley, Burries helped lead the Wildcats to a Final Four birth in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
While he just finished his freshman campaign at the college level, Burries is already 20-years-old, making his fit potentially more seamless on a veteran-led roster in Golden State that wants to quickly return to the postseason.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors add Arizona freshman in first round of new NBA mock draft