The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Damian Jones
C - 7’0, 245lbs - 22 years old - 2 years of experience
Did you know that the Warriors had a centre on their roster called Damian Jones, their first-round pick in 2016 and a man who has been on the roster for two years? If you did, then you are a hardcore NBA fan, which should be obvious given that you're reading Damian Jones's page in the world’s most unnecessarily long NBA strategy document. But it is true; Damian Jones is a Warriors player, and has been for two years and 207 minutes.
The rest of his time has been spent on assignment. In 44 games with the G-League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors this season, Jones averaged 30.0 minutes, 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 67.8% from the field and 69.6% from the foul line. Those are impressive numbers for a G-League player, and a reminder that Jones was picked first round.
However, for him as an individual, being picked by the Warriors was a double-edged sword. Technically, Jones is a two-time NBA champion, and has picked up a couple of million dollars to play in the minors. But he may never get a look in with the big league team, for it seems they have a never-ending cycle of veteran bigs to play ahead of him.
Were Jones to play for the big league team, Golden State have themselves a reasonably mobile centre with excellent shot blocking instincts, and enough offensive poise, touch and hands to be able to finish open looks and possessions as the roll man. Maybe, if JaVale McGee really is going to leave this summer, this may be something they want to look into for next season. Especially if Kevon Looney is not also able to be retained. But if not, that may mean a salary dumping, which is a weird thing to have happen to you when you have two NBA titles in your first two seasons.
Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary remaining. Burned once by Looney already, declining year four would be a risk - then again, it could only burn them if they played him.
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C - 7’0, 245lbs - 22 years old - 2 years of experience
Did you know that the Warriors had a centre on their roster called Damian Jones, their first-round pick in 2016 and a man who has been on the roster for two years? If you did, then you are a hardcore NBA fan, which should be obvious given that you're reading Damian Jones's page in the world’s most unnecessarily long NBA strategy document. But it is true; Damian Jones is a Warriors player, and has been for two years and 207 minutes.
The rest of his time has been spent on assignment. In 44 games with the G-League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors this season, Jones averaged 30.0 minutes, 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 67.8% from the field and 69.6% from the foul line. Those are impressive numbers for a G-League player, and a reminder that Jones was picked first round.
However, for him as an individual, being picked by the Warriors was a double-edged sword. Technically, Jones is a two-time NBA champion, and has picked up a couple of million dollars to play in the minors. But he may never get a look in with the big league team, for it seems they have a never-ending cycle of veteran bigs to play ahead of him.
Were Jones to play for the big league team, Golden State have themselves a reasonably mobile centre with excellent shot blocking instincts, and enough offensive poise, touch and hands to be able to finish open looks and possessions as the roll man. Maybe, if JaVale McGee really is going to leave this summer, this may be something they want to look into for next season. Especially if Kevon Looney is not also able to be retained. But if not, that may mean a salary dumping, which is a weird thing to have happen to you when you have two NBA titles in your first two seasons.
Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary remaining. Burned once by Looney already, declining year four would be a risk - then again, it could only burn them if they played him.
