Warriors player profile: Jacob Evans could play a lot in second NBA season

Share

Editor's note: The Warriors' roster looks completely different than it did at this time last year. Golden State enters a new era at Chase Center with an injured Klay Thompson and without dynasty mainstays Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. As the Warriors' offseason goes on, we'll do a profile on every player on the revamped roster. Thursday's edition focuses on Jacob Evans. 

Warriors guard Jacob Evans had a rocky rookie season marred by a lack of playing time and stints in the G League. Now, following Golden State's summer of change, Evans could be a key contributor entering his second season. 

Here's everything you need to know about the second-year guard.

Contract

One year, $1,925,880 (Team options for the 2020-21 and 2021-12 seasons, qualifying offer for 2022-23)

Last season

Two months into his rookie campaign, Evans said the NBA wasn't "how I thought it would be." After being selected 28th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, he averaged just 1.3 points, 0.8 assists and 0.8 rebounds per game in his first year as he struggled to get on the floor. 

His struggles led to occasional stints in the G League, where he averaged 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 21 games. When he was with the Warriors, he spent most of his time reworking his jump shot with then-Golden State assistant coach Willie Green. 

However, Warriors coach Steve Kerr showed faith in Evans in the postseason, inserting him into the Warriors' 119-117 win in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals as Golden State clinched its fifth straight NBA Finals appearance. 

Outlook

On The Warriors Insider Podcast, Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole that Evans will have "every opportunity" to earn minutes in his second season.  

With Shaun Livingston no longer on the roster, Evans will have primary ball-handling responsibility when Stephen Curry and D'Angelo Russell are not on the floor. During Summer League, Evans played a lot of point guard and sometimes struggled against heavy ball pressure. Nonetheless, he showed an improved mid-range game that could suit him well during his sophomore season.

[RELATED: Kerr 'anxious' to see how Russell fits alongside Steph]

Evans entered the summer hoping to reverse the ills of a disappointing rookie season. He seemed to do that in Las Vegas, averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. 

Still, Evans' time on the floor will be earned in training camp and over the course of the season. 

Contact Us