NBA Notes: Warriors, lottery pick, Blazers, Mike Schmitz, Mavericks

Warriors

The Warriors may not control where their pick lands. They do control what they do with it.

Golden State holds a lottery pick that could move up or settle in the back end, and the focus internally is simple. Get it right.

Assistant GM Larry Harris said the team feels confident in the class, regardless of where the pick lands, via Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.

“With the prep work we’ve done… we feel very, very, very good about this draft,” Harris said. “Getting someone that we can add… that will be young, exciting, and our fans can get behind.”

Still, the hope is obvious. Move up. Take a bigger swing.

Trail Blazers

Portland’s first notable move under new owner Tom Dundon was not a hire or trade. It was a departure.

Assistant GM Mike Schmitz left for Dallas, a move Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report described as a “major loss” for the Blazers.

Schmitz was deeply involved in the team’s draft and development pipeline, pushing for picks like Shaedon Sharpe and helping shape the front office’s international reach.

He also played a key role in building the team’s G League infrastructure.

GM Joe Cronin kept it simple.

“Today is a celebration,” he said. “We’re very happy for Mike.”

Mavericks

Schmitz’s arrival could be just the start of changes in Dallas.

For now, one thing appears steady.

Matt Riccardi, who has been serving in an interim GM role, is expected to represent the Mavericks in the draft lottery drawing room.

That suggests he remains in the mix moving forward, even as the front office takes on a new look.

The structure is shifting. The decisions are still coming.