1. Tre Jones, Duke
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 15-30
POSITION ON BIG BOARD: 27
If the Sixers decide to finally address the point guard position, few players are more aligned with Brand’s tendencies than Tre Jones. He’s a sophomore with a proven track record and NBA bloodline. He’s not the most exciting prospect, but he’s one of the most accomplished prospects.
Jones was one of college basketball’s top point guards last season. He’s the type of player who makes winning plays, however they may come about. He plays his tail off on defense, he’s selfless on offense, and he keeps mistakes at a minimum. He’s the type of rookie Brett Brown could come to trust early on.
Despite his small frame, Jones should make a positive impact on defense. He’s a one-position defender, but there’s value in a hard-nosed point guard who can bottle up his fellow ball-handlers. He aggressively targets the point of attack, he fights over screens, and he makes use of his quick hands.
On offense, Jones is a quality shooter who can survive off-ball — something the Sixers should value. He’s adept in the pick-and-roll and he’s not prone to many turnovers. While Jones may lack a certain degree of explosiveness as a scorer, he does all the little things to help an offense run smoothly.
If the Sixers target a point guard, Jones seems like the overwhelming favorite a few months out. It’s too early to predict with any level of certainty, but keep an eye on the Duke product.