Last month, as center Damian Jones exceeded expectations in the Warriors’ starting lineup, head coach Steve Kerr knew that growing pains loomed.
After two seasons largely relegated to the G League, Jones, 23, was still learning all that the NBA demands. A few impressive performances against elite big men in October overshadowed the fact that he had yet to master such basics as boxing out or staying out of foul trouble.
Less than a fourth of the way through his first full-time NBA season, the 7-foot, 245-pound Jones is struggling to capitalize on his immense tools. With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green out with injuries, he has been inconsistent, forcing Kerr to tinker with his center rotation.
After starting the first 16 games of the season, Jones came off the bench in recent losses to Dallas and San Antonio. In Wednesday’s game against Oklahoma City, Kerr shuffled him back into the starting lineup to match up with the 7-foot, 265-pound Steven Adams, only for Jones to get bullied on both sides of the court.
In 21 minutes, he had four points, two turnovers, two fouls and — most glaringly — zero rebounds. Adams had his way inside, corralling seven offensive rebounds, feasting on put-backs and seldom leaving the restricted area to score 20 points.
“I just got to put myself in a better position,” Jones told reporters when asked about his issues on the glass. “I need to have that mentality to go out and get it.”
It was the latest evidence that Jones is still a project. Though he boasts a 7-foot-3¾-inch wingspan and a 36-inch vertical leap, Jones lacks court-awareness at times and is easily bated into whistles. In just 17.5 minutes per game this season, Jones is averaging 2.7 fouls.
Perhaps most concerning is that Jones is far from a natural rebounder. Instead of using his massive frame to out-muscle opponents on the glass, he too often fails to box out or anticipate the missed shot. Jones’ 6.4 rebounds per 36 minutes rank seventh on the team.
“Damian is a very young player, so he’s learning every single game,” Kerr said. “(Kevon) Looney is way ahead of him because he’s had more years in the league and more experience. He’s also naturally a better rebounder. He has a nose for the ball.
“That is something we talk to Damian about. We’d like him to be more active on the glass, anticipating plays and being proactive rather than being reactive.”
Within his first seven days as Golden State’s starter, Jones held his own against Adams, Utah’s Rudy Gobert, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton. It was enough to help convince the front office to pick up Jones’ $2.3 million option for next season.
Today, after averaging almost as many fouls (2.5) as points (3.0) in his past six games, Jones is trying to get his production to match his physical gifts. That DeMarcus Cousins has made good progress in his rehab from a torn left Achilles tendon only puts the burden on Jones to improve quickly. Because when Cousins returns, Jones could easily be pushed out of the center rotation.
“You have to go out there and produce,” Kerr said. “There are great players everywhere. If you’re not producing, we’ll give the next guy a chance.”
Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron
