Editor's note: Amid the current climate, it's looking increasingly likely we'll be away from basketball for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, NBC Sports Bay Area will take a look at each player on the Warriors' roster and examine how their performance will fit with the roster long term. This week's edition centers around rookie wing Eric Paschall.
Entering last season, Eric Paschall was a promising second-round prospect hoping to crack Golden State's rotation. By the end of it, he had the team excited about his future in the Bay Area.
Here's everything you need to know about the Villanova product's first year with Golden State.
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Contract
2 years / $3.3 million left
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Last season
Golden State Warriors
Paschall played well to start his season, averaging 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists through his first nine games. On Nov. 4, his birthday, he scored a career-high 34 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. In his first matchup against top rookie guard Ja Morant, Paschall scored 17 points, adding five rebounds as Morant shot just 7-of-20 from the field.
However, injuries and teams adjusting to his offensive tendencies caused his trajectory to stagnate. Over a 10-game stretch in December, he averaged just over seven points per game.
Nonetheless, he was one of the league's best rookies this season, becoming one of Golden State's lone bright spots in a season marred by losses and catastrophic injury. Paschall got his footing during the end of the abbreviated season, averaging 18 points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds over his last five games.
Paschall's success coincided with his offensive adjustment. Instead of barreling to the hole on every possession, he adjusted, becoming a balanced, go-to offensive option. In Golden State's late-season win in Denver against the Nuggets, he scored 22 points, including hitting a few clutch shots down the stretch.
Though a second-round pick, Paschall may go down as Golden State's signature selection of the 2019 NBA Draft.
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Outlook
In Paschall's second season, the 23-year old is expected to be a key contributor on a team hoping to contend for a title. The question will be how.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr opted to bring Paschall off the bench at times this season, hoping to give a subpar second unit a spark. With Klay Thompson expected back alongside Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green, Paschall likely will play prominent bench role next season
He has the athleticism and promise to be a lockdown defender in the league. His outside shooting needs to improve so teams won't sag off him. During the first month of the season, he frequently barreled into the paint even if a jump shot was the better option. With the postseason more likely next season, Paschall's ability to play heavy minutes at the highest stage will be tested.
But after a promising rookie season, the Warriors are confident he'll be up for the challenge.