Warriors Center Trayce Jackson-Davis Sees G League Stint as Opportunity

SAN FRANCISCO – Trayce Jackson-Davis views his upcoming game with the Santa Cruz Warriors as a valuable opportunity rather than a demotion. The Golden State Warriors center, who hasn’t consistently played in recent weeks, expressed enthusiasm ahead of his game with the Warriors’ G League affiliate this Sunday at Chase Center.

“I think it’s going to be great for me,” Jackson-Davis told NBC Sports Bay Area before the Warriors faced off against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. His declaration reflects a confident attitude as he aims to regain his on-court rhythm.

Jackson-Davis was approached by Warriors development coach Seth Cooper, who previously coached the Santa Cruz team. He accepted the opportunity immediately, seeing a game as essential for his development. “A chance to play in a game is something I’d never turn down,” he noted.

Despite being a part of the Warriors’ rotation earlier this season, Jackson-Davis has not played consistently in over a month. After starting the season as the Warriors’ center, he has not participated in 10 of the last 16 games. His last starting position was on January 28, where he played only six minutes against the Utah Jazz, contributing to an 11-point victory.

In recent games, Jackson-Davis has not exceeded eight-and-a-half minutes on the floor. With just five weeks remaining in the regular season and 19 games left, the Warriors are preparing for a crucial playoff push, and Coach Steve Kerr believes Jackson-Davis will be needed again soon.

“He’s just out of the rotation, but it doesn’t mean that he can’t get back in,” Kerr stated during a press conference. “Tomorrow is just about getting rhythm, and we’re here at Chase, so he’ll get a really good run. I would wager almost anything that in these last 19 games, he’ll find his way in the rotation at some point. He’s just gotta stay ready for that.”

The Warriors’ G League pipeline has proven beneficial for several young players this season, including Gui Santos, Pat Spencer, and Kevin Knox, who have all become significant contributors. Despite his recent absence from gameplay, Jackson-Davis is determined to use this time to learn and grow as a player, engaging with teammates and taking in knowledge from veterans like Draymond Green and Steph Curry.

“You can still learn a lot, especially with Jimmy [Butler] coming in,” Jackson-Davis shared. “Just the way that he talks. And then you have Draymond and Steph. Those guys have been around. I’ve learned a lot from them the past two years.”

Jackson-Davis added that he also enjoys mentoring younger teammates. “I try to help him [Q.P. Post] and talk to [Kevon Looney] about what he’s doing. Just trying to absorb and help whenever I can. Be the best teammate that I can be.”

His last experience in the G League dates back to November 10, 2023, when he scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. This Sunday is slated as a one-off game, but Jackson-Davis remains optimistic, viewing it as an opportunity rather than a setback.