Trayce Jackson-Davis' Production Has Made Him The Opposite Of A Surprise
Having turned 24 years of age in your rookie season, and being the 57th player selected in the draft the year prior, the odds are usually not in your favor.
For Trayce Jackson-Davis, however, the odds never felt particularly low, despite a game that isn't exactly tailored for what the NBA is today. Lacking a reliable jump shot is usually a recipe for a short career, but the rookie has shown a proficiency for doing literally everything else.
In his modest 14.1 minutes, Jackson-Davis is netting 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists for the Golden State Warriors, while connecting on a whopping 70.9% from the field. His production is similar to what he spent four years doing at Indiana in college when adjusted to per-minute numbers.
At 6-foot-9, Jackson-Davis is an aggressive rebound hunter, a highly skilled shot-blocker, and a physical scorer on the interior. He does most of what you want a big man to do, even if guarding in space isn't necessarily a major strength at the NBA level.
He's even effective on the perimeter as a passing threat, which helps offset some of his perimeter shortcomings.
Most importantly, he's providing the Warriors - a veteran team - with some pop. At 24, he might be older than your average. But in Golden State, he's a young pup who's making the most of his minutes, and that's an asset for a team that might be nearing a transition period.
It once again underlines how NBA teams will occasionally underrate the element of actual production at the NCAA level. That's not to say tools and upside aren't still king. They are. But for Jackson-Davis to find himself unselected until in the late 50's on draft night was almost immediately cause for a rolled eyes reaction given how predictable his season has been on some level.
So, where does the old rookie go from here?
The jumper is probably not coming around given his age. At least not in a manner where he ends up being a reliable threat from the outside.
As such, his development is going to come down to getting even sharper in the areas where he's already good. That means transforming from a good passer at the elbows to an elite one. That means becoming even better on the glass. That means becoming even sharper when attacking the basket off pick and rolls.
Jackson-Davis, despite his polish, can't stand still in his development, particularly due to the ever-shifting landscape of the NBA.
Basically, he has to make himself undeniable to coaches, as to secure himself a permanent spot in the rotation.
The good news for him is that such a future is very much possible.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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