Golden State Warriors find some help in quest to keep dynasty rolling

The Golden State Warriors wrapped up the 2018 NBA Draft by getting a couple of guys they believe can step in right away and help perpetuate the dynasty.

With three titles in the last four seasons, the Golden State Warriors are a juggernaut. A dynasty. And a team looking to add pieces to keep their run going.

To that end, the Warriors picked up two guys they believe can help them achieve that goal. With the twenty-eighth overall pick, Golden State snapped up Cincinnati Bearcats shooting guard Jacob Evans. And after that, they reached a deal with undrafted free agent Kendrick Nunn.

Golden State came into the draft with a clear need for a wing. Not to mention a solid, reliable scoring option for their second unit. With key veteran Andre Iguodala missing six games during the middle of Golden State’s title run, the second unit struggled to find any sort of consistency or scoring punch.

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That lack of a reliable, dynamic second unit led to some tough games and tense moments during this year’s title run – most notably, Golden State’s epic seven-game classic with the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.

Enter Jacob Evans.

At six-foot-six, 210 pounds, Evans is almost exactly the same size as Iguodala (six-foot-six, 215 pounds). He’s versatile, can play multiple positions, is a solid defender, and excels at turning catch-and-shoot opportunities into points.

Over his three-year career at Cincinnati, Evans was a 38 percent three-point shooter, though he wasn’t lighting it up closer to the rim, notching a career 47 percentage inside the three-point line.

He did rebound well, grabbing 170 total rebounds in his final season with the Bearcats (just under five per game), and also averaged three assists, a block, and a little more than one steal per game.

He has a strong physical presence on the defensive end, and isn’t afraid to mix it up, and has the ability to defend multiple positions. All things that will help take some of the defensive load off Draymond Green, and should make him very happy.

It was somewhat surprising that Evans was available at twenty-eight, given that some scouts had him projected as top-15 or top-20 pick. But, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and Evans seems like a player who will mesh well with Golden State’s system.

ESPN offered up a scouting report on Evans, noting his size, frame, and length as being ideal to run the wing in the NBA. They also note his average athleticism and inability to create for himself – though, he does facilitate for others very well.

They also knock him for “blending in” at times.

Given head coach Steve Kerr‘s philosophy and system, “blending in” should be seen as an attribute. Golden State is all about the team, and everybody knowing – and excelling – at their given role, and working well as one cohesive unit.

If Evans really can “blend in” and mesh with Kerr’s system, playing in that Iguodala mold, and live up to his potential, he could challenge for solid minutes coming off the bench as a three-and-D guy for the Warriors immediately, and could be a solid contributor for some time to come.

Many expected that the Warriors would do what they’ve done very successfully the last couple of seasons and buy a second-round pick.

Two years ago, they bought a second-rounder and picked up Patrick McCaw. Last year, they bought one and added Jordan Bell to their stockpile of weapons – a move the Chicago Bulls were roundly flamed for.

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With the Warriors having about five million to purchase a second-rounder again this year, most assumed they would. Either they didn’t see a prospect worth plunking down that kind of change on, or the rest of the league was tired of seeing the rich get richer and refused to play ball.

Either way, the second-round came and went, and the Warriors weren’t able to add a body. After the draft though, they did pick up another possible gem when they agreed to a deal with Kendrick Nunn – whose path to the NBA has been bumpy. To say the least.

At six-foot-three, 190 pounds, Nunn has good size, speed, and strength. In his first three years at Illinois, he worked his way into a more regular role, and saw his numbers improve each season. As a freshman, he averaged just over six points, just over 11 as a sophomore, and just over 15 as a junior.

Then came the problems. Nunn was dismissed from the team after a domestic violence charge, and subsequently took a year away from the game to handle his business, he re-emerged at Oakland University in Michigan

As a member of the Golden Grizzlies, Nunn caught fire.

His points per game average of 25.9 were second in the nation, just behind fifth-overall pick Trae Young. He also posted career highs in virtually every important statistical metric. Overall, he’s a career 39 percent three-point shooter, and hits 47 percent inside the three-point line.

Nunn’s ability to create his own shot, facilitate for others, and most of all, score, should make him an invaluable member of Golden State’s rotation.

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It’s a calculated risk, and one that could blow up in their faces. Nunn says he’s learned from his mistakes and has grown. All he needs to do is keep his head on straight, stay out of trouble off the court, and prove that he has.

All in all, it was a good evening for the Warriors as they look to reload for a potential run at their fourth title in five years this season. With the rest of the league scrambling to catch up and the arms race building, how long will Golden State be able to keep holding them off?