It’s still too early to tell if the Warriors selection of Damian Jones was a succession plan for Festus Ezeli’s departure, or whether the pick was truly the best player available. But the stars are aligning for Golden State to swap out one 26-year-old Vanderbilt center for another 20-year-old less expensive version.
Selected with the 30th pick, the 7-foot Jones has a thick frame and can do it all on offense: play above the rim, execute the pick-and-roll, post up opponents, a baby jump-hook and a midrange game. You can create a cut-up of his film that would make him look like a top 10 pick. Jones is intriguing.
Even more intriguing was a development today on KNBR’s airwaves. As free agency creeps closer, Steve Kerr wasn’t afraid to admit to Mr. T on Thursday that the Warriors are not going to be able to avoid the poaching that is free agency.
“We’re not going to possibly be able to keep our whole roster,” Kerr said, “so chances are we will have a thinner roster next year.”
A thinner roster might mean Jones onboard instead of Ezeli. It’s the first of many dominos to fall.
If that’s the plan, for Jones to replace Ezeli, the Warriors know they are playing with fire. Golden State’s NBA Finals loss can be partially blamed on Ezeli’s struggles. Kerr and Bob Myers shouldn’t be foolish enough to think that a rookie Jones can come in and decimate Steve Adams and Tristan Thompson. Andrew Bogut and Jones aren’t enough by themselves. The Warriors will have to bring in Joakim Noah or other cost effective options.
Still, give the Warriors props for recognizing a flaw within their roster. Outside of Draymond Green, this team lacks imposing figures on the front line. Jones doesn’t shy away from contact underneath — he’s usually the one dishing it out. Kerr and assistant Ron Adams will hope to train him into an immovable object on defense, and a brick wall screen-setter. By drafting Jones, the front office understands the Warriors are pretty much set on the perimeter. In fact, too much shooting crushed the Warriors in Game 7. Other versions of offense, like Jones will hopefully provide, can ease the burden on Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
We can’t also completely forget about James Michael McAdoo and Kevon Looney. Publicly, the team will say every player has to earn their spot. Privately, the Warriors will hope Jones develops faster than the pair of power forwards. Kerr will hope for a situation where Jones is developing so rapidly, he won’t be able to keep him off the court.
The drafting of Jones is, at the very least, a backup plan for if (or when) Ezeli walks. Let’s make it clear it shouldn’t be just Jones. A veteran like Noah should has to be in the cards. Kerr needs more buttons he can press in the game than Ezeli and Anderson Varejao. The Warriors need more physicality, and an untested rookie won’t be enough to help a championship-ready team get back over the hump.
We’ve written over and over again what transpired in the playoffs is going to have a domino effect on Golden State’s offseason. Oklahoma City and Cleveland’s front court combinations were not enough for to handle alone. And as much as everyone loves Bogut (myself included) you have to incorporate his injury history into your season-long plans.
The team still has eight free agents to evaluate, the Kevin Durant situation on their plate. This team will look different no matter what in two weeks.
The Warriors’ hope is that Jones can be the fire-breathing dragon to match their rivals in the post. The sooner, the better.