2019 NBA Mock Draft: Tankers beware
G. Duke. Tre Jones. 6. player. 67.
I still don’t think Sacramento should count De’Aaron Fox among its can’t-move prospects for the remainder of its rebuild. If a guard like Jones became available, the Kings could easily try and fit the two players together or move on from Fox.
Billed by many as “Tyus Jones’ more athletic younger brother,” the Minnesota native will come to Duke with high expectations. Tyus won a national championship for this same program in 2015. Tre will also face the formidable challenge of holding together a disjointed roster featuring three other ball-dominant wings expecting to start.
The athleticism is the biggest advantage Jones will bring to the next level as a smaller guard. He is a tremendous leaper, easily launching for dunks off one foot in transition and fighting through contact as well as anyone in the class despite standing just 6-3.
If Jones is indeed to fit in Sacramento (or as a successful modern NBA point guard more broadly), he will need to become a more willing and efficient jump-shooter. In the wide-open environment of the McDonald’s All-American and Nike Hoop Summit games, Jones did not attempt a single 3.
Where he benefits from being an athlete, his brother may indeed ultimately be the more attractive modern point guard if the difference in their shooting proficiency continues to be so massive.