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Golden State Warriors: 3 Lottery Picks Trayce Jackson-Davis could outperform next season

By Peter O'Keefe

ALBANY, NEW YORK - MARCH 17: Sincere Carry #3 of the Kent State Golden Flashes defends Trayce Jackson-Davis #23 of the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half during the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ALBANY, NEW YORK - MARCH 17: Sincere Carry #3 of the Kent State Golden Flashes defends Trayce Jackson-Davis #23 of the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half during the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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As the 57th overall pick in the NBA Draft, there’s usually no expectation on a player to carve out a role during their rookie season. Yet for new Golden State Warriors’ big man Trayce Jackson-Davis, those conventions may not necessarily comply.

The Warriors acquired the rights to Jackson-Davis late on draft night, sending last year’s first-round pick Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the Washington Wizards in the process. It was a calculated move from the front office and one made for a multitude of reasons.

Even as the penultimate pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Golden State Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis could outplay a number of lottery picks in his rookie year.

Many saw the financial element as the key motivator behind the deal, with the franchise saving millions by swapping Baldwin’s first-round pick contract for Jackson-Davis. Yet at 23-years-old and with four years of college experience, there’s a real on-court facet at play here as well.

Golden State undertook a major win-now approach to their offseason, categorized by the blockbuster move of Jordan Poole for Chris Paul. But their method of prioritizing the current window also extended to acquiring Jackson-Davis, a player some expected to be taken in the 20’s.

It’s not to say Jackson-Davis is assured a role in Steve Kerr’s rotation next season, but there’s an opportunity there if he’s good enough. Given his advanced age and experience, the 6’10” big man should theoretically be closer to earning minutes than others in his draft class, including the Warriors’ 19th overall pick Brandin Podziemski.

After a hamstring injury impacted the start of his Summer League, Jackson-Davis made an impressive return over the final two games. He averaged 16 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks, shooting 66.7% from the field as he showcased his threat in the pick-and-roll.

Adding to his chances of playing time is the front office’s decision not to add more center depth to their current 13-man roster. Golden State currently have only starting center Kevon Looney, and small-ball options in Draymond Green and Dario Saric.

Jackson-Davis gives the Warriors an element they don’t have — a vertical spacing presence that could prove invaluable playing alongside Stephen Curry and particularly Chris Paul. It’s very much possible that Jackson-Davis has a greater impact next season than most rookies, including some that were taken in the top 15.

Let’s check out three lottery picks Trayce Jackson-Davis could outperform next season:

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