Entering the 2025 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors were devoid of tangible hope. Perhaps they'd be able to find a player who they could plug in when foul trouble or injuries created a void in the rotation, but with a mere second-round draft pick, a championship hopeful was unlikely to find the quality needed to improve the rotation.
Against all odds, the Warriors have turned the No. 56 overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft into a starter within the first third of their rookie season—thus making Will Richard the ultimate steal to whom no other first-year player can compare.