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Warriors Had a Shot at Jalen Brunson… And They Failed Miserably

Posted on August 3, 2025 - 5:12 am by

The Golden State Warriors, a dynasty that redefined basketball with their splashy three-point shooting and unparalleled star power, have been the gold standard in the NBA for over a decade. With Stephen Curry, a two-time MVP, leading the charge, the Warriors have built a legacy of championships and unforgettable moments. But even the greatest franchises make mistakes—and in 2018, Golden State made one that still stings: they passed on Jalen Brunson.

In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Warriors held the 28th pick and selected Jacob Evans, a guard from Cincinnati with promise but little staying power. Evans’ tenure in Golden State was forgettable, to say the least. Over two partial seasons, he played in just 57 games, starting only twice, and posted a meager 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game while shooting a lackluster 33.9% from the field and 32.1% from beyond the arc. By 2020, Evans was shipped off to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and his NBA career fizzled out after just two seasons.

Meanwhile, just five picks later, the Dallas Mavericks snagged Jalen Brunson with the 33rd selection. What followed was a masterclass in scouting malpractice by the Warriors’ front office. Brunson, a Villanova standout, quickly proved he was far more than a second-round afterthought. In his four years with Dallas, he emerged as a reliable role player alongside Luka Dončić, averaging 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting an impressive 49.4% from the field and 37.3% from three. His efficiency and poise shone brightest in the 2022 playoffs, where he etched his name in Mavericks history. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Brunson became the first Dallas player ever to record 40 points with zero turnovers in a playoff game—a feat that helped propel the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals.

But Brunson’s story didn’t end in Dallas. After signing with the New York Knicks in 2022, he transformed into a bona fide superstar. His 2024 playoff performance was nothing short of historic. As noted by The NBA on May 6, 2024, Brunson erupted for 43 points on 14-of-26 shooting, adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the Knicks to a Game 1 victory. In doing so, he became the first player in NBA history to record 40+ points and 5+ assists in four consecutive playoff games. Brunson wasn’t just playing well—he was rewriting record books.

Now, imagine a world where Jalen Brunson, with his clutch gene and playmaking prowess, shared the backcourt with Stephen Curry. The thought alone is enough to make Warriors fans wince. A Brunson-Curry duo could have been a nightmare for defenses, blending Brunson’s mid-range mastery and pick-and-roll wizardry with Curry’s gravity-defying shooting. Instead, the Warriors settled for Jacob Evans, a footnote in their storied history.

Hindsight is brutal, and the 2018 draft is a glaring blemish on Golden State’s otherwise stellar resume. While the Warriors continue to chase championships, the missed opportunity to draft Brunson serves as a reminder: even the best teams can fumble the bag when it matters most.