Golden State Warriors Reportedly Show Strong Interest in Duke’s Sion James, but Will the Blue Devils Star Be Available at 41?
As the 2025 NBA Draft rapidly approaches, all eyes are on which direction the Golden State Warriors will go with their 41st overall pick. The Warriors, still caught between the fading brilliance of their veteran core and a youth movement that hasn’t fully matured, appear focused on adding glue guys who can fill multiple roles. One name has steadily gained traction within their scouting circles: Sion James of Duke University. James may not be the flashiest name on the draft board, but his versatility, defensive acumen, and basketball IQ have made him a highly intriguing prospect for Golden State’s front office. The big question is whether he’ll still be on the board when the Warriors are on the clock.
Sion James is not your typical NBA Draft riser. He isn’t known for eye-popping highlights or gaudy scoring numbers. What makes him special, however, is everything he does that doesn’t show up in the box score—at least not directly. A 6-foot-6 wing who can defend across positions, run an offense in spurts, and impact the game without dominating the ball, James has developed a reputation as one of the best “connective tissue” players in the country. That reputation started to blossom in his time at Tulane, but it fully matured during his one graduate season at Duke.
At Duke, James embraced a complementary role, but his influence was unmistakable. He averaged a modest stat line—7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game—but his contributions went far beyond those numbers. He was often tasked with guarding the opponent’s best perimeter scorer and consistently drew praise from Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer for his leadership and on-court awareness. His willingness to do the little things—fight through screens, box out, make the extra pass, rotate correctly on defense—helped make Duke one of the nation’s toughest and most cohesive defensive units.
That brand of basketball—unselfish, smart, and gritty—has reportedly caught the attention of several NBA teams, including the Warriors. Golden State, in particular, has a history of favoring players who make the right decisions and can function within a complex, movement-heavy offensive system. With the likes of Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry aging, the need to find role players who can complement the next generation of Warriors stars is becoming increasingly urgent.
James’ skill set appears tailor-made for that mission. Though he isn’t an elite shooter, he has shown enough progress with his outside shot (37% from three during his final college season) to give scouts optimism about his spacing potential. He’s also an excellent secondary ball-handler, capable of initiating offense in a pinch or running a pick-and-roll when the shot clock winds down. Defensively, he has the kind of awareness and discipline that head coach Steve Kerr often praises, and his ability to guard 1-3 effectively gives Golden State lineup flexibility.
The Warriors’ potential interest in James has been quietly building throughout the pre-draft process. Sources say he performed well during private workouts and impressed team officials with his poise and maturity during interviews. He’s also viewed as a “culture fit” for the organization—something that has become increasingly important in the post-title era as Golden State tries to reset its foundation without undergoing a full rebuild. In many ways, James represents the kind of player the Warriors hoped to develop in recent draft picks like Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga: a versatile, two-way wing who understands team concepts and can contribute early in his career.
But as draft boards continue to shift, the Warriors may have to act decisively if they want to land James. His stock has risen steadily over the past month, with some analysts projecting him as a late first-round sleeper. At worst, he now seems like a high second-round lock. That makes Golden State’s 41st pick a bit precarious. If James continues to generate buzz in team workouts and interviews, there’s a good chance a team ahead of the Warriors could scoop him up, forcing Golden State to consider either trading up or looking elsewhere for a similar type of player.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that James isn’t just a plug-and-play option—he has leadership intangibles that could make him a long-term asset. He was named Academic All-American this year and consistently earned praise for his locker-room presence. On a team with younger players who are still learning the nuances of the professional game, a rookie like James could serve as a bridge between the veterans and the developing core. His experience playing in high-pressure environments at both Tulane and Duke has given him a level of composure that many second-round picks don’t possess.
Still, not everyone is convinced James is worth a mid-second-round pick. Detractors point to his lack of elite athleticism and question whether his offensive game will translate at the NBA level. He doesn’t create his own shot with regularity and may struggle to score efficiently against longer, more athletic defenders. For some teams, that profile suggests more of a G-League project than a rotation-ready piece. But for the Warriors—an organization that values basketball IQ and system fit over raw athleticism—that concern may be less of a dealbreaker.
There’s also the matter of fit within Golden State’s evolving roster. If Thompson leaves in free agency or accepts a reduced role, the Warriors will need perimeter depth that can defend and move the ball. James offers exactly that. And if Golden State intends to keep relying on Curry and Green in major minutes, surrounding them with smart, low-usage players like James could extend their effectiveness while giving the younger players more room to develop without being overwhelmed.
The challenge, of course, will be managing expectations. James isn’t likely to come in and put up 15 points a game, and his development into an impactful NBA role player will require patience. But if the Warriors see him as a long-term culture piece rather than a short-term solution, then using the 41st pick on him—or even trading up a few spots to ensure they get him—could be a savvy move that pays dividends down the road.
The 2025 NBA Draft class is deep with talent, especially among wings and combo guards. That could work in the Warriors’ favor, as other teams may overlook someone like James in favor of prospects with higher perceived upside. But it could also mean the Warriors will have to make a choice: stick with their board and hope James falls to them, or move up and secure a player they believe fits their identity.
Golden State has had mixed results in recent drafts, and the pressure to maximize this pick will be amplified by the uncertainty surrounding the future of their core. The franchise is teetering on the edge of a new era, and finding reliable, unselfish role players will be critical to making that transition smooth. Whether James is ultimately the right pick remains to be seen, but the interest is real, and the fit is easy to envision.
Sion James may not be a household name yet, but in a draft loaded with question marks, his reliability and maturity offer a kind of security that few second-round picks can provide. If the Warriors are serious about staying competitive while building for the future, then using their 41st pick—or packaging it to move up a few spots—on a player like James may be a move we look back on as a pivotal moment in the team’s transition. He won’t dominate headlines on draft night, but in time, he could become the kind of trusted contributor every contender needs.
Whether or not Sion James ends up wearing a Warriors jersey remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: Golden State is watching closely, and if he’s still on the board at 41, the call might come quickly.
