The Warriors anticipate exercising Damian Jones team option for the 2019-20 season, a league source told Bay Area News Group. The Warriors have until Wednesday to finalize the decision.

Jones, who is making around $1.5 million for the 2018-19 season, will be paid $2.3 million for the 2019-20 season. The Warriors could have saved in both salary and luxury taxes by not guaranteeing Jones’ team option. But that would have made Jones an unrestricted free agent next July and allow him to entertain offers in the open market without having his rights to match them.

With Jones’ future secure next season, he may have a continuously increasing role. Warriors All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins will be an unrestricted free agent next July, and is unlikely to be available at a taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.3 million) after rehabbing his left Achilles tendon. Warriors fourth-year forward Kevon Looney will be an unrestricted free agent, while second-year forward Jordan Bell will be a restricted free agent.

The Warriors have become increasingly satisfied with Jones’ trajectory. He has averaged 6.0 points on 77.8 percent shooting and 2.4 rebounds in 16.9 minutes through eight games as as starter. Though Warriors coach Steve Kerr has kept the spot open among Jones, Looney and Jordan Bell, Jones has retained the starting position for a few reasons.

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The Warriors opened the 2018-19 season against bigger and more physically imposing centers, including Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams, Utah’s Rudy Gobert and Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The Warriors also like Jones’ defense, post-up skills and athleticism. With his 7-foot-0, 245-pound frame, Jones has often offered the Warriors lobs and rim protection. The Warriors also wanted to compile data in hopes to provide clarity on whether they would pick up his option for next season.

The Warriors have currently stressed to Jones about the need to reduce his fouls (three per game) and to communicate. But they believe he can improve those weaknesses. Otherwise, the Warriors like Jones blend of skills as a post-up player, passer and defender. Related Articles Klay Thompson practices with Warriors for first time since ACL injury

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The Warriors have remained intrigued ever since selecting Jones at No. 30 in the 2016 NBA Draft after starting for three seasons at Vanderbilt. But Jones experienced hiccups his first two NBA seasons. He tore his pectoral muscle while bench pressing 185 pounds during a pre-draft workout with the Orlando Magic. Jones then spent his first two seasons with the Warriors’ D-League/G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

He made only 10 appearances in a combined 85 minutes during his rookie season, while averaging 11.3 points on 58 percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds for Santa Cruz. He also only appeared in 15 games last season, but Jones increased his production in Santa Cruz (15.0 points on 50 percent shooting, 8.1 rebounds and 2.15 blocks). With the Warriors sitting injured players toward the end of the regular season to prepare for the playoffs, Jones then logged a career-high eight points in a career-high 14 minutes on April 3 against Oklahoma City.

Since then, the Warriors made moves this offseason that would ensure a bigger role for Jones.

They did not retain veteran centers Zaza Pachulia (Detroit Pistons), JaVale McGee (Los Angeles Lakers) and David West (retirement). The Warriors unexpectedly acquired Cousins for a taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.3 million) after the market went dry because of concerns about his injured left Achilles tendon. Though Cousins will be the unequivocal starting center whenever he returns, Jones will still have a significant role off the bench. Kerr also plans to stagger Cousins with the team’s reserves, making it possible that Jones will also play with the starters for matchup purposes. The Warriors have also become encouraged that Cousins has taken an active role in mentoring Jones.

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