Damian Jones has played a grand total of 87 minutes with the Warriors over his two seasons as a pro. This year, Steve Kerr has put him into one game for just two minutes.
Rather than have their 2016 first-round pick sit on the bench, the Warriors have had Jones playing with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League.
In 32 games, Jones is averaging 15.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in 30.6 minutes.
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Kerr was on hand at Oracle on Sunday night to watch Jones and Santa Cruz take on the Austin Spurs. Jones played 32 minutes, scored 15 points and threw down a few monster dunks.
"I thought he looked great last night. Very active, blocked some shots, some really athletic players, some big dunks. He's a great roller to the rim. I think this has been a fantastic year for him. He's investing in his future, as are we," Kerr told reporters Monday after Golden State Warriors practice in Oakland. "We're trying to get him as much playing time as possible and he wasn't going to play much here this year for us. So this is great use of the G-League. He's getting coached, he's getting work in every day and we're seeing it all unfold. I'm really pleased with his development."
Kerr was asked to compare Jones' development to that of Kevon Looney, who didn't play much his first two seasons but is contributing big minutes to the Warriors in his third season.
"I compare it a little to Kevon. His first two years, he was injured, he didn't play much but he was learning and you see what he's done for us this year. It's what it takes, you gotta learn the league, you gotta get better, you gotta put the work in. And the G-League provides a platform and an environment where guys can really grow at an age where they need to play, they need to be on the floor. So I'm really happy with what I'm seeing. I think next year, you'll see a guy that's ready to contribute," Kerr said.
Golden State Warriors
With Zaza Pachulia, David West and JaVale McGee all free agents after the season, the Warriors could push Jones into an expanded role next season as a center coming off the end of the bench. The team exercised Jones' option for the 2018-19 season in October.