Prior to the 2012 draft, the Golden State Warriors had just drafted Klay Thompson the year before and was battling through injuries with second year point guard Stephen Curry. The Andrew Bogut–Monta Ellis trade had yet to take place and the Warriors finished with just 23 wins on the season.
Entering the draft, Golden State was ready to add young talent with the 7th, 30th, 35th, and 52nd pick in the draft.
With the 7th pick, Golden State took Harrison Barnes out of North Carolina and with the 30th pick in the first round they selected Festus Ezeli out of Vanderbilt.