SAN FRANCISCO — Year 2 in the NBA for Trayce Jackson-Davis means a year’s worth of wisdom and understanding already built in. It means a solidified spot in the Warriors‘ rotation and no trips to the Santa Cruz for G League games. It means having earned a sense of respect and belonging from his Golden State elders who have four championship rings on their fingers.
But it also means everyone sees him coming now. No one in the league is shocked to see the No. 57 pick in the 2023 draft making an impact on one of the NBA’s premier franchises. The former Indiana University All-American and Indiana Mr. Basketball at Center Grove High School is just one more weapon opponents know they have to account for when dealing with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins and others.
So perhaps as a result, Jackson-Davis is a little more prolific in Year 2 and a little less efficient. He’s averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season after averaging 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game last season, but he’s shooting 62% after making 70.2% of his shots last year. He’s already started more game (23) than he did season (16) and he’s playing more minutes (18.4 per game to 16.6) and taking more shots (6.0 field goal attempts to 4.9) than he did last year so his per 36 minutes numbers are actually down from 17.2 points and 10.9 rebounds to 16.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per 36.
Still, Jackson-Davis sees his progress as being a steady continuation from last year. He’s established who he is for the Warriors and is sticking to his approach.
“It’s really just confidence and aggressiveness,” Jackson-Davis told the IndyStar when the Pacers played the Warriors last week. “Coach (Steve Kerr) said I’ll basically have the same role as last year, playing with energy, just running up and down and blocking shots and being an energy giver for my teammates because they feed off of that. Sometimes I start, sometimes I come off the bench, but it’s just always bringing that energy.”
Opponents know he’s going to try to get all of his buckets in close so they seem to be making more of a point not to lose him and to push him out just a little bit. He has exactly one 3-point attempt this year and had exactly one all of last year. Last year he took two 2-pointers in the 10-16 foot range. This year he’s taken one. But last year, 65% of his shots came within 3 feet and this year that number has fallen to 53.6% as teams have made more of a point not to give him easy dunks. He’s also slightly less effective at finishing in close. Last year, he made 77.7% of his shots within 3 feet and this year that number is down to 71.9%.
Still, Jackson-Davis can make similar adjustments on the players he’s guarding.
“I think it’s helpful,” Jackson-Davis said. “Because they know me, but I also know them. There’s a lot of unknown in your first year. I was blessed with the opportunity to play as a rookie. Guys go at you, so being able to navigate that into this year, knowing guys’ tendencies and how to guard, stuff of that nature has helped tremendously.”
And every bit of knowledge he can glean from the veterans helps. They are not shy about providing it either.
“Draymond, (Kevon Looney), Steph, CP (Chris Paul) last year, Klay (Thompson) last year, those are all guys who have taught me a lot throughout this journey. I’m just going to continue to lean on those guys, be a sponge. Whenever I do something wrong, they’re always in my ear trying to help me, trying to make me the best player I can possibly be. It’s basically being a sponge, whatever they say, they’re teaching, especially Draymond or Loon on the defensive end of the floor or Steph on offense, what he likes to do or what he sees on the floor that can help our team, I try to do that to the best of my abilities.”
Jackson-Davis has seen some rise and fall in his play throughout the year. He scored 26 points in his first two games of the season on 11 of 11 shooting but then cracked double digits just twice in his next 11 games. He had a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Hawks on Nov. 20 but scored in double figures just once in the next 11 games after that. There were a few games in which his minutes were limited. The Warriors had a 12-man rotation at one point early this season and there has been significant amount of shifting in that rotation. For the most part Jackson-Davis has been able to count on double-digit minutes, but there were a few when he was held under that.
However, his 13-point, eight-rebound performance against the Pacers last week was part of a continuing stretch of his most consistent play so far this season. He’s scored in double figures in each of the Warriors’ last five games. He’s third on the team behind only Curry and Kuminga with 14.0 points per game in that stretch. He’s shooting 66% from the floor (31 of 47) and is also averaging 9.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. The Warriors have lost three of those five, but his 16-point, 10-rebound, four-block performance against the Suns on Saturday helped them grab a key win.
“He’s been a really good young player for us,” Kerr said before the game against the Pacers. “We’re excited. Once we went into a little bit of a losing spell we started shifting things around and he was the odd man out a few times. But I always tell our guys, ‘Your time is coming.’ He stayed ready and he got the start last game with Draymond out. We felt like that was the best combination. I thought that was one of the best games he’s played for us. I’m excited about Trayce’s progress. Really good young player.”
Trayce, meanwhile, has been trumpeting Indiana football’s success to anyone who would listen. His younger brother Tayven entered the transfer portal after the season but threw four touchdowns and rushed for three this season as Kurtis Rourke’s backup, leading the Hoosiers to a win over Washington in the one game he had to start.
“It was great just watching them,” said Jackson-Davis, whose access to IU’s best football season when he was there was limited by COVID-19 protocols. “I was jealous. I think I said that every time someone asked me, just jealousy, not being able to see that while I was there, but just watching the games, seeing all them, seeing those dudes, having my brother be a part of that, that was really cool to see. I’m happy for them and they just gotta keep building that there.”
Jackson-Davis has been working hard in the offseason to improve his game and make a bigger impact for the Warriors. With his combination of size, athleticism, and skills, he has the potential to become a key player for the team.
Head coach Steve Kerr has been impressed with Jackson-Davis’s work ethic and determination, and he has high expectations for the young forward in the upcoming season. With his ability to score both inside and outside, as well as his defensive prowess, Jackson-Davis has the tools to make a significant contribution to the team.
As the Warriors look to compete for a championship, Jackson-Davis will play a crucial role in their success. With his continued growth and development, he could become a key piece of the team’s future. Keep an eye on Trayce Jackson-Davis as he looks to solidify his role with the Warriors in Year 2.
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