Warriors to co-host California Classic. Will lottery pick debut?

The California Classic is returning to Chase Center for the third straight year.

The annual prelude to the NBA’s summer league in Las Vegas runs at Chase Center on July 3, 5 and 6 and includes the hosting Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. The Sacramento Kings will also host a share of the showcase at Golden 1 Center on July 4, 5 and 6.

Included in Sacramento’s event are a second team representing Golden State in addition to the Kings, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. Las Vegas summer league runs July 9-19 at UNLV. 

Inaugurated in 2018, the California Classic started at Golden 1 Center and shifted to Chase Center in 2022, returning each of the last three years. The Warriors and Kings will play July 5 at Golden 1 Center for the Mitch Richmond Trophy, named after the Hall of Fame swingman who played both for Golden State and Sacramento.

The Warriors are poised for a lottery pick — with the NBA draft lottery set for May 10 — adding a layer of intrigue to the event after finishing 37-45 this season. They’re positioned to pick 11th for now and will likely stay in that range, with a 9.7% chance of a top-four pick and a 2% chance at the top overall pick.