Golden State added the Arkansas wing with their second pick.
The Golden State Warriors selected Arkansas wing Moses Moody with the No. 14 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft on Thursday night, after taking G League Ignite wing Jonathan Kuminga with their first pick. The Warriors were thought to be considering Moody with the No. 7 pick, so they’re surely excited that he was available at No. 14.
Moody is 19 years old, 6’6”, 210 pounds, and spent just one year at Arkansas. He averaged 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game as a freshman, and shot 35.8% from three-point range and 81.2% on free throws.
SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell ranked Moody as the No. 6 prospect in the draft, saying:
Moody offers a clean translation into the modern NBA as a long, mobile wing who will bring defensive versatility and outside shooting to any lineup. A 6’6 swingman with a 7’1 wingspan, Moody is pesky both in guarding his man at the point of attack and as a team defender who makes sharp, instinctual rotations. His length comes into play in both areas, as he’s able to smoother smaller guards on the ball, or swoop in as a free safety-style help defender to force turnovers. Moody’s offense will come down to his jump shot, but it looked impressive during his one year at Arkansas: he finished in the 78th percentile of spot-up opportunities, and hit 36 percent of the 162 three-pointers he attempted on the season.
Moody isn’t going to create much with the ball in his hands, which limits his upside considerably. He struggles to get all the way to the rim on offense to this point in his career, but he’s shown an impressive mid-range game particularly when he attacks closeouts. While he’s not exactly an explosive downhill athlete, Moody is the type of off-ball player so many teams need because he’s able to space the floor on offense and cover ground with his length and quick feet on defense. He won’t be a high-usage takeover scorer, but Moody is the kind of two-way wing that allows each of his teammates to be the best version of themselves.
O’Donnell gave the Warriors an “A” grade for this pick.
Moody offers considerable upside, but is also a fairly NBA-ready player. He’s unlikely to start the year in the Warriors rotation, but he could end the year there, or be part of a trade for a star if one becomes available.
Moody was the No. 14 prospect on The Ringer’s big board, and No. 12 on The Athletic’s.