Yeah he's still probably 4th on the likely prospects to be available at 9 (Moody/Johnson/Wagner/Jones), but I think I'd rather chase his upside/archetype over Sengun's. He should be able to thrive in transition with Fox/Hali and i'd be surprised if he's not an elite rim runner almost immediately. He has that serious defensive unicorn potential with the athleticism to rim protect and defend the perimeter.
Players that I would target with the 9th pick:
- Thread starter bajaden
- Start date
My fear is that when I watched him he wasn't really a rim protector. How much of that is due to Texas' roster and Sims I don't know. But the worst case scenario is that he's essentially a big wing instead of a center.
He's switchable like Bam but they aren't all that similar as prospects. Adebayo was shorter/stouter and more of a traditional big while Jones did more work on the perimeter
He's switchable like Bam but they aren't all that similar as prospects. Adebayo was shorter/stouter and more of a traditional big while Jones did more work on the perimeter
Yeah, Jones is a Bagley type of big, pure and simple. Now, he might have the intensity that Bagley doesn't but if he can't transition to center full time he's going to have the same issues Bagley does.
The big difference with Bam as I've heard in interviews he's one of the stronger players in the league. He's a beast physically. That altogether is different.
The big difference with Bam as I've heard in interviews he's one of the stronger players in the league. He's a beast physically. That altogether is different.
And that's my one complaint about Jones. End to end he's a great athlete, but he's not great when it comes to off the dribble acceleration so I wouldn't expect him to be a tremendous threat running pick and roll. He's most fluid while in motion. He's kind of similar to Amare Stoudemire without the same ability to finish over the top of defenders.
I would say that Adebayo is a decent comp. I think Jones is ahead of Bam at this point in his career, but I can see a similar outcome. When Adebayo was at Kentucky, I had serious doubts that he would ever make it in the NBA. If Kai puts in the same amount of work, I see him having a successful career.
I think that when someone is critical of a player because they're skinny, then it's fair to point out that Giannis or Tyson Chandleer etc. were also very skinny when they came into the league. However, that doesn't mean that your suggesting a similar outcome. I think Jones has pretty good handles for a a 6'11" player. He didn't start playing basketball until he was 15 years old. So yeah, there is some risk involved with him. I wouldn't say that he's a boom or bust player, but it's possible that he'll never reach expectations. On the other hand, if he does, then you have a steal on your hands. Bottom line is that I don't see him as a possible failure.
I think that in some ways, Jones is being blamed for how he was used. No, he didn't play like a traditional center, but then they had Sims representing that group. So if you want to get both Sims and Jones on the floor together, and Jones has some game away from the basket, then he ends up playing most of the time on the perimeter. Despite playing away from the basket, he put up similar per 40 numbers as Sims, except for rebounding, which makes sense. Both players averaged around 1.7 blocks. Also, remember that Sims was a senior and Jones was a sophomore.
Sims played just over two minutes more a game than Jones, but some of that was on Jones, who was in foul trouble a lot. Someone suggested that he had trouble finishing over players at the basket. That was actually something he was good at. Running the floor and dunking over defenders. There's no doubt that he's still on the raw side, but he has all the tools to be a very good NBA player. He's probably two to three years away from reaching his total potential.
Sims played just over two minutes more a game than Jones, but some of that was on Jones, who was in foul trouble a lot. Someone suggested that he had trouble finishing over players at the basket. That was actually something he was good at. Running the floor and dunking over defenders. There's no doubt that he's still on the raw side, but he has all the tools to be a very good NBA player. He's probably two to three years away from reaching his total potential.
Yeah, that's fine but during that pro workout I think his name was brought up in terms of his skill and potential level, or even style as a player. And I've heard it elsewhere. If Jones is going to effectively run pick and roll at that level he'll basically have to become the exact player he's not or didn't show much of in college. He has talents that can be utilized but if the team he goes to does some of the same things the Kings have done with Bagley in terms of development then he could be a hit or miss candidate. Although he is already more comfortable as a spot up big.
As I've stated, I didn't like the way Jones was used at Texas. When they ran the P&R they primarily ran it with Sims. A player can't just do what he wants unless he has a green light from the coach, which I doubt Jones had. When Cousins played at Kentucky, he was stuck in the post, and would have been on the bench if he left there. People were surprised that he had game away from the basket once in the NBA. Personally I wouldn't put Jones in the boom or bust category. The player I'd probably have there is Keon Johnson.
I'm not talking as a big in pick and roll but rather as a ball handler, I must not have been clear on that my mistake. This is what makes Giannis special. His ability to square up and get to the rack at his size by going around defenders especially off a high pnr. Kai has some driving off of his spot shot but we don't really know how he'll do if someone were to set a screen for him and run pick and roll off of him as a play maker. His passing and court vision need work. And honestly he doesn't look like an elite driver from the 3 point line in considering how help cuts him off regularly. If you noticed in his workouts they accentuated what he does great, run end to end and finish. And more than a few of those were 4 steps after picking up the ball.
Yeah, I don't know if he's a boom or bust guy. I think it's relative to role and expectation as to how high he'll get on the talent scale. And of course what team he goes to. For a team needing a spot big man that play that tweener 4/5 in not such a bad way he'll be a great fit.
Yeah, I don't know if he's a boom or bust guy. I think it's relative to role and expectation as to how high he'll get on the talent scale. And of course what team he goes to. For a team needing a spot big man that play that tweener 4/5 in not such a bad way he'll be a great fit.
Last edited:
I liked Kuminga - pretty smooth looking player - he was who I thought the Kings should draft behind Mobley being #1 and Jalen Green #2 . I also liked Barnes maybe at 5th. Wagner 6th - liked the way he moves his feet on defense for his size - see him being picked for defense and work on his offense - most guys its revers. Moody would be ok - can always use good shooting.
Quite a few mocks have the Kings picking Wagner - we will see. If Kuminga slides down, pick him up over Wagner - I like Kuminga tenacity and run-out speed - some wicked spin moves to either hand - pretty impressive motor - didn't see good jump-shooting on the move - that's harder for players to master well. His defense looked only average though as opposed to Wagner. Showed some occasional passing highlights.