The 8 Worst Golden State Warriors roster decisions of the last decade

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The Golden State Warriors passed on both Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson in 2018.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Julius Randle #30, Jalen Brunson #11, and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks look on in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

5. Golden State Warriors leave talent on the board in 2018

This situation is more of a “hindsight is always 20-20” type of deal, but it makes the list nonetheless. Back on draft night in 2018, the Warriors held the No. 28 selection and took Jacob Evans, a six-foot-six-inch guard out of Cincinnati.

Evans appeared in just 57 total games with Golden State over two seasons, playing just about 10.8 minutes in each. He was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the deal that offloaded D’Angelo Russell in exchange for Andrew Wiggins.

When the Warriors selected Evans, there were still some notable names out there for taking. Both Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson — now of the New York Knicks — were available, as well as Gary Trent Jr., Bruce Brown, and Jevon Carter.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that any of those guys would’ve panned out and found their footing had they been drafted by the Dubs, but all of them could’ve been great additions.

Brunson was named to his first All-Star team last season in New York, while Evans is no longer even playing basketball professionally, per The Akron Beacon Journal. Aside from that, Robinson has proven to be a solid rim protector for the Knicks when he’s healthy, Brown just won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets, and Trent Jr. and Carter have proven to be reliable shooters.

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