Steph Curry won’t be the only player representing the Warriors at All-Star Weekend in a few weeks.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, the second-year center, was named to the Rising Stars team — a collection of rookies, sophomores and G League standouts. Two-way guard Pat Spencer is also on the roster as a G League representative.
Jackson-Davis has started 36 of 44 games this year, averaging 8.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Although he has struggled with finishing in the paint — he’s shooting 57.1% from the field compared to 70.2% last season — the relatively shallow pool of talent among first and second-year players opened up a path for him.
Spencer, meanwhile, has played 18 games for the Warriors, occasionally giving them a lift as an emergency point guard. As one of the greatest college lacrosse players of all time, Spencer is among the best athletes on the team.
Some notable Rising Stars they’ll be teaming up with include Victor Wembanyama, Amen Thompson, Stephon Castle and first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. Several players, like Dereck Lively II, Brandon Miller and Jared McCain, were selected to the team but won’t participate due to injuries. Here is the full roster.
The new All-Star format applies to the Rising Stars and puts a greater emphasis on the game. The talent pool will get split into four teams and play a three-game tournament on Friday, Feb. 14, with the winner earning the right to play again on Sunday against one of the All-Star teams.
Both the Rising Stars and the All-Star mini tournaments are set to be held at Chase Center. For the first time since 2000, the Bay Area is hosting the festivities.
Warriors sign add wing depth with two-way signing
The Warriors announced on Tuesday that they filled their vacant two-way slot by signing Jackson-Rowe. A 3-and-D wing, Rowe is averaging 14.8 points, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Rowe, a 28-year-old Toronto native, played four seasons at Cal State Fullerton before spending three seasons overseas and eventually latching on with the Warriors organization.
Two Warriors games rescheduled
Due to the Los Angeles fires earlier this month, the NBA rescheduled two upcoming Warriors games, slightly rejiggering their schedule for one week in March.
Before the disruption, the Warriors’ week of March 16 included a Monday game against Denver and a back-to-back with Toronto and Milwaukee (March 19 and 20).
Instead, the Bucks game got moved from Thursday to Tuesday, making it the second leg of a back-to-back after the Nuggets game. The Raptors game is switched from Wednesday, March 19, to Thursday, March 20. All three contests remain at Chase Center.
Warriors reportedly back in Jimmy Butler discussion
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Warriors are one of the teams engaged with Miami about trading for Butler, along with Phoenix — the most commonly discussed suitor. Charania reported that Miami is seeking draft capital and short-term contracts in return for the disgruntled Butler.
This week, the Heat suspended Butler for indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. He reportedly walked out of practice after being informed he’d come off the bench. This instance is the third time this season Miami has suspended the veteran. Butler has a player option for $52.4 million next year but is said to want a long-term extension.
His relationship with the Heat deteriorated when the organization declined to extend him and team president Pat Riley called him out publicly, saying, “If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut.”
The trade deadline is Feb. 6.