"If the Warriors really want to stop the rumor mill from churning out possible trade destinations for guard Monta Ellis, they didn't do themselves any favors Thursday.

With the 11th overall selection in the draft, Golden State picked Klay Thompson, a 6-foot-7 scorer from Washington State who just happens to play the same position as Ellis.

"This, in no way affects the motivation to trade any player," general manager Larry Riley said.

Ellis' representatives and the Warriors' front office have explored a number of trade possibilities this offseason, but the team has maintained that it is not "shopping Ellis." Riley added this week that he didn't think Ellis would be moved at any point this summer.

It's easier to believe the Warriors didn't take Thompson to immediately become Ellis' replacement, because they need depth at every position and have been especially high on one of the draft's best shooters for a while. Riley said Thompson had differentiated himself from Colorado's Alec Burks, the other top shooting guard among the draft pool, even before a series of stellar predraft workouts caused Thompson's stock to skyrocket.

The Warriors wanted to move down in the draft and pick up another selection, but they weren't willing to risk losing Thompson. Riley said that he didn't consider San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard, who dropped out of the top 10, and that the team would have needed to move down to avoid overpaying for Florida State forward Chris Singleton, the best defender in the draft, who went 18th."