The Warriors’ status as perhaps the league’s deepest team has allowed general manager Bob Myers to prioritize talent and untapped potential in the draft the last few years rather than NBA-ready contributors with lower ceilings, and Jones’ selection with the final pick of the first round in 2016 was emblematic of that. The center from Vanderbilt had already suffered a torn right pectoral muscle prior to the draft that ended up sidelining him from contact drills until late November, but Jones’ combination of size (seven feet, 245 pounds) and high-level athleticism was too tantalizing for the Warriors to pass up. Since the 22-year-old was always viewed as a long-term project, he unsurprisingly appeared in just 10 games with the NBA team as a rookie, averaging just 8.5 minutes per appearance. The organization was hopeful that Jones would at least be able to show signs of becoming a dominant post force and capable interior defender while receiving more extended action with the D-League’s Santa Cruz Warriors, and though he struggled to meet those goals initially, he rewarded Golden State’s faith by season’s end. He earned D-League Player of the Month honors for games played in March and April after averaging 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds across 12 contests, while also doing well to avoid the foul trouble that plagued him previously. Entering his second professional season, Jones still looks to be on the outside looking in for a regular rotation spot with Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee above him on the depth chart at center and Draymond Green around to serve as a small-ball option at the position, so expect Jones to move frequently between the G-League and the NBA team in order to pick up minutes. If Jones is able to make further strides in his development this season, he could have an easier path to minutes with the Warriors in 2018-19, as both Pachulia and McGee are set to become free agents next summer.