Tyus Jones and the Roaring Twenties
Tyus Jones was a key member of Duke’s championship team last year. There were times when the Blue Devils would not have prevailed if not for the scoring point guard. At 6’1” 185, Jones is appropriately sized for the point guard position but not big enough to play off the ball. Therefore he will be a target of teams looking to add point guard depth.
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Jones is probably the fourth or fifth point guard in the list, placing his draft range at around twenty to twenty-five. These are teams that made the playoffs but did not advance too far. They will be looking for players who can help off the bench and most likely not be looking for a starter. That being said, let’s look where Jones might fit.
Pick 20 – Toronto Raptors
The Raptors surprised many last year in free agency when they were able to bring back leading point guard Kyle Lowry. They will be looking to take the best player available and they might lose Lou Williams in free agency this year. They could consider Jones as a replacement, but they have stronger needs elsewhere.
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Pick 21 – Dallas Mavericks
It seems clear that Rajon Rondo will not be a Maverick when the off season is over. That opens up some space at point guard as both Devin Harris and Raymond Felton are now getting older. Jones could bring some youthful infusion to the position while learn Rick Carlisle’s system from the bench for a few years.
Pick 22 – Chicago Bulls
This is another team looking for good players off the bench. Aaron Brooks is a free agent and that should free up minutes behind Derek Rose, who always needs a good backup in case he gets hurt. This would put Jones in one of the best situations that he could walk into.
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Pick 24 – Cleveland Cavs
The current playoffs should tell you how much Cleveland needs another point guard. Kyrie Irving has been hurt and the Cavs have given significant minutes to Matt Dellavedova. That would be fine if Dellavedova’s penchant for finding people’s knees avoids suspension. The Cavs should act swiftly if they could pair one Duke guard behind another.
Pick 25 – Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are another team that has a front line point guard but lack a solid backup for the future. Mike Conley missed some time this season with injury, so opportunity is not totally absent for this spot.
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Pick 27 – Los Angeles Lakers
It should not come to this, but the Lakers should seriously consider keeping the Jones and Okafor combo together. It will aid their professional transitions and give them both an automatic friend in the locker room. Jeremy Lin will most likely not be coming back to the Lakers next season.
So that looks like the prognosis for Jones. I do not think that he falls further than 24, because Cleveland would have to be nuts not to take him. Tomorrow I will at best fits for the guys who hope to have second round grades: JP Tokoto and Trevor Lacey.