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Golden State Warriors: Jacob Evans must prove his worth early for the Dubs

By Nathan Beighle

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Jacob Evans III #10 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Jacob Evans III #10 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Without DeMarcus Cousins, there will be ample opportunity for first-round pick Jacob Evans to get playing time. With that time, he must prove his worth.

With the 28th in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors selected the junior from the University of Cincinnati, Jacob Evans. Evans is a defensive-first player with a high, yet limited, offensive ceiling.

DeMarcus Cousins’ injury will impact Evans playtime. Albeit Evans is a two/three and Cousins plays a more traditional center role, the big should allow the rook some extra minutes. Jordan Bell is expected to slide into the starting role with Kevon Looney also getting significant minutes.

On top of that, Andre Iguodala should slide down and get some minutes in a small-ball lineup, freeing up Evans for more minutes with the second unit, which should be excellent for him as he’s looking to prove his worth on the Dubs top-class organization.

In college, Evans was known mainly for his defense.

Evans and senior Gary Clark helped lead the Bearcats to have the NCAA’s most efficient defense. On top of his defensive impact, his stats back up how crucial he was. His last season, Evans averaged over a block and steal per game, one reason he was eventually selected in the first round.

The Dubs really seem to love these two-way players with high energy and limited offensive ceiling. Jordan Bell was their second-round draft pick last season who presents similar contributions.

Bell proved his value last season, racking up double-digit starts. Evans, if any injury happens to either Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant, could do the same. Even without their injury, Boogie’s delayed return should give him all the opportunity he needs.

However, Evans has yet to really showcase any value for the Dubs. He’s averaged just two points per game in over 15 minutes per game for the Dubs for two preseason games. Adjusting to the speed of the NBA is a challenge by itself, but Evans must start to come around in the preseason before expecting the minutes in the regular season.

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Evans is gritty. He perfectly exemplified the city of Cincinnati and will continue to grind. THere’s no doubt in my mind that Evans will get going and become a contributor for the Warriors, the 2019 NBA Finals favorite.

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