Golden State Warriors: 5 goals for Jacob Evans’ rookie season

4. Play every game

An Achilles heel of the Warriors’ last season was their frequent injury issues throughout the backcourt. While the Warriors had all hands on deck for their four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals, that was the first time in months they could make such a claim.

Starting point guard Stephen Curry played in just 51 games as he dealt with a handful of minor ailments before a knee injury sat him down for the stretch run of the regular season and start of the postseason. Andre Iguodala played just 64 games, while Patrick McCaw played just 53. The Warriors needed 80 games out of Nick Young just to fill out a rotation, and they made a late move to add Quinn Cook to the 15-man roster to lean on him in the postseason until Curry returned.

Therefore, the Warriors need someone they can rely on, and Evans looks like just that sort of player. Over three years at Cincinnati, he played in all 105 available games, including 36 in each of the past two seasons. More than other prospects the Warriors have brought in over recent years, Evans has a track record of availability.

With Young gone, McCaw unsigned and Iguodala and Livingston getting older, there are minutes that need to be filled even before the prospect of injury. If Curry or Thompson miss time, Evans will have an even larger role, and his availability will be crucial. As much as it is in his control, Evans needs to be ready to play every single night.