Sixers draft: 5 small forwards to watch in 2021 NBA Draft

5 small forwards to watch in Sixers’ NBA Draft: Herb Jones

Herb Jones is the reigning SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his college career on the highest possible note, and will enter the NBA Draft with several potential suitors as a result. He is someone the Sixers should look at. He’s probably not the best choice at 28, but should he tumble all the way to 50, he could be a potential steal.

As his résumé would suggest, Jones is a true weapon on defense. At 6-foot-6, he’s a disruptive force, with great court awareness and a useful competitive streak. He can swallow guards with his 7-foot wingspan, or play the passing lanes and make an impact off-ball. The Sixers have perimeter defense in the form of Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle, but should one or both of them get traded, then Jones’ talent on that end could suddenly become an asset of great importance.

On offense, the fit is a bit murkier. Jones has a high basketball I.Q. and should find ways to contribute. He’s a smart passer with some real ball-handling chops, but he’s also a career 28.8 percent 3-point shooter at the college level. The Sixers need to prioritize spacing around Joel Embiid, and Jones will not stretch a defense.

That does, of course, become more manageable if a certain 6-foot-10 non-shooter gets shipped elsewhere. Also, even if Simmons stays and Jones is the pick, it’s unlikely the Sixers expect immediate wide-ranging contributions from a late first-round pick, much less a second-round pick. Even the most optimistic, depth-deprived contender is more likely to seek help in the form of veterans, not rookies. If Jones isn’t the best fit, but the Sixers believe he’s the best player, then he’s accomplished enough to justify the pick.

PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 25-50

BIG BOARD RANKING: 41