DNHQ Draft Tourney Group D: Antonio Reeves, Jalen Bridges, Isaiah Crawford, Isaac Jones; plus open thread

All 4 have worked out for GSW, so these are serious candidates

Jun 03, 2024

Our Draft Tournament

Yes, we are having our FIFTH annual DNHQ Draft Tournament, where Dub Nation gets to vote on whom the Warriors should draft via head to head showdowns.

If the Warriors end up trading the pick, I’ll end the draft tournament early. If the Warriors somehow trade up, I’ll somehow re-fashion the Tourney.

Overall results and how we chose the field at 2024 Dub Nation HQ Draft Tournament. Past Draft Tourneys archived here.

Don’t be a party pooper and say the Warriors should trade the pick or that it doesn’t matter.

All the prospects in this Group have actually had pre-draft workouts with GSW, so it is quite possible that one of them will be drafted by the Warriors.

Antonio Reeves

Guard, 6-4, 185lb
Basketball Reference
Bart Torvik’s Advanced Stats
BPM #130
PRPG #17
Givony Woo ESPN 5-31 #58
SI 5-16 #55
Vecenie 5/12 #44
Wasserman 5/31 #53

Why does BPM love him?

BPM loves his offense (but rates him as a negative defensively).
He has a very high Offensive Rating, shooting efficiently with very good EFG and TS% on average usage.
This year he shot a stellar 44.7% 3P and 86.3% FT.
He rarely turns the ball over and rarely fouls.

Why isn’t he in the first round?

He’s a fifth year senior.
Played for a stacked Kentucky team that crashed out of the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
He was overshadowed by teammates Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards, who will all be first round picks. (Despite this, Reeves was far away the leading team scorer.)
His career shooting is respectable (80% FT, 38.4% 3P) but not as elite as his last year. Was it a mirage?

Apricot’s Thumbnail Scouting Report

The dream of Reeves is that he’s a spark plug scorer who can create off the dribble, make creative finishes, and light it up from three; that he was held back by playing a role on a stacked disorganized Kentucky team and still managed to be a leading scorer; he played off-ball a lot at UK but in his previous schools he was successful at creating on-ball. The bad scenario is that he’s bad Jordan Poole who’s a black hole on offense and a matador on defense.

Apricot’s Highly Questionable Statistical Comps

This is from an experimental program finding closest statistical comparisons to other NCAA players since 2010.

Luke Kennard 2017
Deshaun Thomas 2013
Marial Shayok 2019
Jerome Robinson 2018
C.J. McCollum 2010
Doug McDermott 2014

Note that he played a more on-ball creator role at his first school:

Wasserman, NBA.com

Previous mock draft spot: No. 54
Team: Kentucky
Position: SG
Size: 6-foot-6, 195 lbs
Age/Year: 23, Senior
Nationality: American
Pro comparison: Justin Holiday
Antonio Reeves’ 27 points weren’t enough to make up for his own and Kentucky’s defensive struggles against Oakland. For a 6’6″ guard, he’s too advanced of a shotmaker with his spot-up, movement and pull-up shooting (and floater) to not think about in the 50s for a scoring specialist role.

Wasserman, BP, May 21 update

#53
May 12 Mock Draft Spot: No. 55
School/Team: Kentucky
Position: SG
Size: 6'5", 187 lbs
Age/Year: 23, Senior
Nationality: American
Pro comparison: Alec Burks
Antonio Reeves looked like the same scoring weapon during scrimmages that he was at Kentucky. He's clearly one of the class' top shotmakers who also has a good feel for how to get himself those catch-and-shoot, pull-up and floater chances within an offense's flow.
Age and athletic limitations won't feel alarming enough for teams to keep passing on him in the second round.

No Ceilings, Don't Overthink Antonio Reeves

This game has been, and always will be about getting buckets. Antonio Reeves is one of the best off-ball bucket getters in the 2024 NBA Draft.

… (check out the linked original, there is a lot more stuff there)

At 6’6”, Reeves is a prototypical movement shooter and off-ball scorer. His numbers have been extraordinary all season, he’s a good athlete, and he’s one of the driving factors for one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Despite all of that, Reeves continues to not be mentioned in mock drafts, ignored in rankings, and widely met with a surprising amount of indifference.

Before we dive into the selling point of Reeves, we have to go through the red flags as Reeves is far from a perfect prospect. For starters, Reeves is an older prospect as he will turn 24 in November. Additionally, Reeves offers very little on the defensive end; he has a block rate of 0.8, a steal rate of 1.2, and he ranks in the 43rd percentile in overall defensive points per possession (PPP), per Synergy. If he gets drafted, Reeves will be just the eighth senior to do so since 2014 with a block rate under 1% and a steal rate under 1.5%. His company isn’t exactly littered with sterling NBA careers either.

All of those concerns are entirely valid, and if they are enough to turn you off, I get it. However, none of those factors are why you’d ever draft Reeves in the first place. If you’re rebuilding and looking to take a swing, then you wouldn’t be targeting a fifth-year senior. If you’re searching for a defensive stopper and targeting Reeves, then you’ve completely misunderstood the player. (Sidenote: I don’t hate Reeves’ defense as much as most, as he at least works hard and has some flashes, but the concerns are more than valid). However, if you’re looking for value in the second round and a lethal off-ball shooter and scorer, there aren’t many in this class who have been better than Reeves.

The entire selling point with Reeves is his scoring and bucket-getting instincts. So far this season, Reeves is averaging 20 points per game while shooting 50.7% from the floor on 13.9 attempts and 43.5% from three on 5.7 attempts. This will be his third straight season in which he’s shot at least 39% from three on more than 5.5 attempts. Additionally, Reeves ranks in the 97th percentile with 1.18 PPP.

Reeves is putting up rarified scoring numbers. It’s not just that he’s scoring on relatively high volume, it’s that he’s doing it efficiently as well.

…

Reeves’s scoring is almost entirely predicated on his off-ball movement. While he’s excellent at running off screens and handoffs to then set up on-ball opportunities, he’s rarely going to initiate the offense or act as an on-ball scorer. On the most basic level, Reeves is one of the best spot-up shooters in this class. He ranks in the 93rd percentile spotting up, scoring 1.211 PPP and shooting 45.7% from three, while also ranking in the 95th percentile shooting off the catch scoring 1.36 PPP and shooting 46% from three. Additionally, Reeves is currently scoring 1.353 PPP overall in transition (89th percentile) while shooting 51% from three, 1.087 PPP off screens (74th percentile), and 1.061 PPP on handoffs (77th percentile).

Numbers are important and reveal a lot, but they can also be misleading, especially with college shooters. You can quickly tell those who likely won’t make it at the next level if all of their shots come from standstill looks and they struggle when ran off the line. What sets Reeves apart from most shooters in the country, though, is what he can do off movement, and (more importantly) what he can do when he’s run off his spot.

Despite being known as a shooter, Reeves is highly adept at attacking the rim and scoring on the interior. So far, he is scoring 1.144 PPP on 97 drives (just over 19% of his total possessions). For comparison, Dalton Knecht is at 0.921 PPP on 76 drives (13.3%), Kevin McCullar is at 0.52 on 50 drives (14.4%), and Hunter Sallis is at 0.991 on 116 drives (23.1%).

… Reeves consistently uses the threat of his outside shot to counter aggressive closeouts, attack the rim in a myriad of ways, score at the rim or on floaters, and even take sidestep pull-up threes. When defenders try to eliminate Reeves’s jumper, he is unphased and finds different ways to punish them.

With his ability to attack closeouts or launch off the catch, Reeves could be an ideal outlet for primary creators in the NBA. He has a good sense of spacing and knows how to find open pockets consistently. Whether it’s off a cut or capitalizing on a broken play, Reeves’s off-ball scoring versatility makes him an easy plug and play option in the NBA.

Reeves is currently scoring 1.23 PPP (68th percentile) while shooting 61.3% at the rim as well as scoring 1.07 PPP (88th percentile) while shooting 53.3% on floaters. Reeves also ranks in the 97th percentile in frequency on floaters, so his efficiency isn’t inflated by a small sample size. While the bulk of his interior scoring opportunities will come from attacking closeouts, he’s also proving that he can be put in motion and have actions run for him to exploit the defense in all three levels.

…

Reeves isn’t much of a playmaker, but there have been some encouraging flashes of him creating out of these situations. Players like Duncan Robinson have shown us how important quick and accurate passing out of handoffs and off screens can be. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated, but capitalizing on shooting gravity to create for others with quick pocket passes or lobs can really transform an offense.

Antonio Reeves isn’t a lot of things. It’s easy to dwell on those and if they’re too much to overcome, I get it. However, doing so ignores the glaring fact that Reeves has been one of the most efficient, versatile, and high-volume off-ball scorers in the country this season. He’s a knockdown shooter from outside and consistently finishes at a high level inside the arc. While many off-ball shooters fear getting run off the line, Reeves welcomes it. He knows who he is as a player and plays within his role. The 2024 NBA Draft has a lot of uncertainties, but Antonio Reeves’ scoring ability isn’t one of them. Let’s not overthink it.

Jalen Bridges

Forward, 6-7, 220lb
Basketball Reference
Bart Torvik’s Advanced Stats
BPM #34
PRPG #32
Givony Woo ESPN 5-31 #53
SI 5-16 #48
The Ringer 5-9 #43
Vecenie 5/12 #57
Wasserman 5/31 #58

Why does BPM love him?

Good 42% on 3s, 61.6 True Shooting
Positive defender and just solid all around.
Low turnovers and fouls rarely.

Why isn’t he in the first round?

He’s a fifth year senior.
Low usage in college.

Apricot’s Highly Questionable Statistical Comps

This is from an experimental program finding closest statistical comparisons to other NCAA players since 2010.

Bennedict Mathurin 2021
Hunter Tyson 2023
Gradey Dick 2023
Saddiq Bey 2020
Isaiah Livers 2021

Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer

Quintessential role player who enhances his teammates with 3-and-D skills and flashes higher upside.

SHADES OF

Royce O’Neale crossed with Mikal Bridges

On-Ball Defense
Catch-and-shoot Threat
Off-Ball Mover

PLUSES

Dynamic shooter with clean mechanics who can run off screens or take 3s off the dribble.
Displays shot creation skills in some of his pull-up 3s, in-out dribbles on drives, and spin moves. Even if he never becomes a primary ball handler, he can at least thrive attacking closeouts and going coast-to-coast on the break.
High-IQ player without the ball. He relocates on the perimeter for 3s and looks for cutting opportunities at the rim. His intelligence applies to his passing as well, as he limits his mistakes.
Competitive defender with a long wingspan who can switch screens to defend multiple positions or fight through them and slide his feet to mirror opposing shot creators. He also disrupts passing lanes, especially when Baylor plays its zone defense, showcasing his ability to be an effective helper at the next level.

MINUSES

Inconsistent 3-point shooter until his senior year, though his near–80 percent clip from the line in his collegiate career bodes well for his potential.
He’s a low-usage player who hasn’t proved he can be a lead creator.

Wasserman, BP

#58
May 12 Mock Draft Spot: No. 51
School/team: Baylor
Position: SF/PF
Size: 6'7", 213 lbs
Age: 23, Senior
Nationality: American
Pro comparison: Dorian Finney-Smith
Jalen Bridges had some encouraging stretches of shotmaking during scrimmages to follow up a breakout shooting season at Baylor. His measurements likely didn't help, considering Baylor listed him at 6'9", 225 pounds, and he came in under 6'7" in socks.
Midway through the second round, teams could start thinking about the idea of an adaptable, three-and-D wing who can guard both forward spots.

MavsDraft

Pros:

Good rebounder
Successful standstill shooter with an effortless release
Good off-ball mover, both for cuts and for movement 3s
High upside for coming off screens as he irons out minor tweaks in his base from going full sprint to stop
Consistently good rebounder
Low mistake player that doesn’t force bad plays
Good motor that helps him win loose balls
Plays the passing lanes well and does a good job of zone defensive playmaking

Cons:

Has a poor handle and dribbles off his foot/knee too often
A bit stiff in general
Doesn’t get to the line much, largely in part because of the 2 point shots he takes
Struggled in isolation defense, and can be shaken off his spot easily by hard jab steps and by shifty ball-handlers

Swing Skills:

How does his mediocre athleticism limit his game?

…lots more at the original linked report…

Projected draft range: 25-40

Expected role: Off-ball mover with excellent shooting ability.

Unplayable if: A bad shooting night happens and his handle doesn’t improve, and stiff movements limit his defensive ability against quicker ball-handlers.

Exceeds expectations if: Defense hits, shot translates at an almost elite level, and he adds more muscle to his frame.

Isaiah Crawford

Forward 6-6, 220lb
Basketball Reference
Bart Torvik’s Advanced Stats
BPM #42
PRPG #272
TheAthletic 4-19 #53

Why does BPM love him?

He’s a blocking (5.7% of shots, #129), stealing (3.5% of opp possessions, #86) machine.
Good shooting, 42.9% on 3s.

Why isn’t he in the first round?

He’s a fifth year senior.
Plays in Conference USA, not a power conference.
Doesn’t shoot that many threes, is the shot real?

Apricot’s Highly Questionable Statistical Comps

This is from an experimental program finding closest statistical comparisons to other NCAA players since 2010.

E.J. Liddell 2022
Sindarius Thornwell 2017
Grant Williams 2019
Keita Bates-Diop 2018

Ersin Demir

We have seen NBA front offices bet on prospects who measure out well. The archetype we mostly see is a team defender with the potential to grow as a defender in time. In the long run, the ability to separate them from their peers will be on the offensive end.

In Crawford’s case, his experience as a fifth-year senior will have to translate early on to keep him on an NBA floor. Winning C-USA Player of the Year and being an All-C-USA selection for three years are impressive additions to his resumé, making the appeal for a potential NBA career more clear for him.

Player Profile

At 6’6”, Crawford stands out with a 7-foot wingspan, giving him a solid base to become a plus-team-defender at the next level. The production matches the potential with his two steals per game in the last two seasons.

Crawford has fluid hips and a decent burst that gives him an advantage laterally to guard multiple positions. The translatable part for the NBA is him being able to guard at all three levels, with his rim protection and point-of-attack defense making him one of the better defenders in the C-USA.

At 220 pounds, the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year has a well-filled frame that allows him to guard four positions in college. However, on an NBA floor against better and stronger athletes, Crawford will have to add more strength in the next few years.

Offense

At the NBA level, Crawford will mostly be asked to serve as a slasher. With his decent burst, he can create separation against some NBA guards and wings, however, the lack of acceleration on his drives makes it harder for him to blow by his opponents. In most cases, Crawford relies on powering himself to the rim, making it more important for him to add strength to his frame in the upcoming years.

While finishing at 61% near the rim, Crawford should be able to put up better numbers due to his improving footwork. Another factor for him to produce early is his timing. He uses his jab steps and fluid hips often in terms of separating himself from his closeout defender before the launch to the rim, as seen in the second and fourth plays below.

An area of development for Crawford is his decision-making to go for his finish or to make the extra pass out of the closeout attack. His touch at the rim is good enough to convert more than 61% of his attempts, however, Crawford forcing his offense is an indicator of risk for a team’s offensive rating at the NBA level, which is something an NBA decision-maker has to consider when evaluating his profile.

Another must-have in his profile is being a reliable shooter off the catch. While putting up a 41.4% conversion rate on 3.1 three-pointers a game, the volume is good enough to make it feasible that it’ll translate early on in his NBA career. Mostly due to Crawford having four seasons of good shooting numbers on his resumé, with an improvement in percentage or volume each year.

(a lot omitted… go read the whole original link)

Defense

On the defensive end, things become more interesting for Crawford. His 7-foot wingspan is an intriguing part of his profile. However, Crawford being able to use his physical tools while defending makes him a much more interesting profile for NBA teams. Considering that as a wing defender, he’ll be mostly guarding against spot-up shooters near the elbow while having to closeout on them quickly and efficiently.

What stood out is that Crawford has the defensive footwork to make his long wingspan an even bigger weapon. He consistently sets his feet very well, where his pivot foot keeps him in balance to be able to slide his feet quickly in case his opponent attacks his closeout.

However, against spot-up shooters, Crawford found a healthy distance that makes it harder for opponents to beat him off the dribble, while he’s still able to contest their shot by using his length. …

NBA Draft Projection

With more NBA teams preferring wing-sized ball handlers who measure out well, Crawford is already having NBA teams considering drafting him this summer. His combination of knowing his physical tools and how to use them to his advantage, combined with his ability to play fast and knock down open shots makes it possible for him to have a role in a team’s rotation early in his career.

The two most crucial areas of development are Crawford’s tendency to ball-watch on defense at times while overdribbling on offense. In terms of Crawford reading the game and executing his reads consistently, it’s feasible that he’ll improve in the future when getting more reps — likely in the G League.

He’ll turn 23 years old around next season’s opening night. His NBA readiness is a plus in his profile. If Crawford can add strength to his frame, it’ll open up a more versatile role for him in the future; a large chunk of the untapped potential an NBA franchise will buy with his profile.

Based on the above-mentioned, I project Crawford to be selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Isaac Jones

Forward, 6-9, 242lb
Basketball Reference
Bart Torvik’s Advanced Stats
BPM #100
PRPG #80
Givony Woo ESPN 5-31 #56
Wasserman 5/31 #57

Why does BPM love him?

Efficient scorer on average usage. Draws a lot of free throws, doesn’t foul that much. Good defensive rebounder.

Why isn’t he in the first round?

He’s a fifth year senior, playing 3 years in two-year college. 1 year at Idaho in a minor conference, and 1 year at Washington State, not a powerhouse.
A smaller center at 6-9, he doesn’t shoot the three at all

Apricot’s Highly Questionable Statistical Comps

This is from an experimental program finding closest statistical comparisons to other NCAA players since 2010.

Jahlil Okafor 2015
Cody Zeller 2013
Mason Plumlee 2013
John Collins 2017
Trayce Jackson-Davis 2021 (note this is TJD’s 2nd year)

NBA.com / Rotowire

Overview
Jones doesn’t have much experience at the Division I level, but that was because he spent the first three years of his post-high-school career at Wenatchee Valley (Wash.) College. He made the jump from Wenatchee to the Big Sky Conference before the 2022-23 season, where he moved to Idaho, and he was a regular starter for the Vandals while averaging 19.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He jumped to another level before his senior year in 2023-24, transferring to Washington State, where he started all but one of his 35 appearances. At Washington State, Jones averaged 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He was named to the 2022-23 All-Big Sky Second Team and the 2023-24 All-Pac-12 First Team.

Analysis
The first thing that stands out about Jones is his length because he has a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan despite being listed at 6-foot-8. He also possesses excellent leaping ability and plays much taller than he is, suggesting he might be ready for the NBA’s physicality, particularly against power forwards due to his length. Plus, he has the potential to be a decent perimeter defender due to his footwork and above-average acceleration. He’s a good on-the-ball defender, but he lacks awareness at times in off-the-ball situations. His offensive game is not as advanced as his defensive game, but he can put up points as a finisher near the rim. His feel for the game and decision-making as a scorer are two major positives in his offensive arsenal. He also can make the extra pass when the situation calls for it. He needs to continue developing his offensive arsenal, but on the surface, his arsenal looks competent enough to keep himself on an NBA floor regularly.

Projection
Jones has been a player who has improved with each passing season, and that might not change if he makes it to the NBA. He’s a capable player on the defensive end with an above-average wingspan, and that should be his calling card at the NBA level. However, his progress and future role will ultimately be decided by how much he progresses on offense.

Wasserman, BP

May 21 Mock Draft Spot: Off the board
School/team: Washington State
Position: PF
Size: 6'8", 235 lbs
Age: 23, Senior
Nationality: American
Pro comparison: Precious Achuiwa
The clear standout at the Portsmouth Invitational, Isaac Jones moved his way up to G League Elite Camp and the NBA combine. His pitch to teams is built around his ability to guard bigs and wings and make plays with his athleticism and motor. But he also flashed enough post skill and shooting potential to possibly provide some complementary offense.

Ersin Demir

After redshirting his first year, Jones earned a Division I transfer after two successful seasons at Wenatchee Valley (WA) College at the JUCO level Jones earned a transfer to Idaho. He earned a spot in the Big Sky Second Team All-Conference by putting up 19.4 points per game.

Hereafter, the fifth-year senior earned a move up to the PAC-12, where he was a deciding factor in Washington State’s run to the NCAA Tournament. After another productive year at 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, Jones earned another All-Conference honor, and this time it was in the First Team.

With production being a more crucial factor for seniors, Jones has improved each season, earning himself a call-up to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. And via the G League Elite Camp, Jones fought himself to a spot in the prestigious NBA Draft Combine.

Physical Profile

At 6’9” in shoes, Jones stands out with his length. With a 7’3” wingspan, he plays much taller than he is due to his good vertical pop. With a great frame, Jones is ready for the physical battle against most NBA forwards and big men.

His 235 pounds is a result of his hard work. While adding more muscle to his frame in the last few years, Jones kept his athletic traits as a mobile big man with fluid hips and good verticality.

Jones’ footwork on the defensive end combined with his good acceleration makes it possible for him to guard away from the paint. With the lack of plus-size for his position, that’s an important area where he can still positively impact a team’s defensive rating.

Defense

In the NBA, Jones has to show that he can guard against closeouts effectively. On that end, his footwork is very good. In the first three plays below, Jones aggressively plants his pivot foot, controlling his opponent’s drive. By fluidly moving his hips he responds to his opponents being forced to change sides, with the first two plays showing examples of it.

For the next level, an NBA decision-maker must focus on his aggressiveness in contesting shots at the rim on these sequences. Jones does everything well but usually doesn’t reward himself near the rim by adding the same intensity to contesting attempts near the rim. Regardless, the basis of Jones’ ability to defend effectively is visible in Jones’ profile.

… more detail in the original report …

As a pick-and-roll defender, Jones was playing in a drop-coverage-heavy scheme at Washington State. That’s where he’s the most comfortable with. At times, he shows his value in heading, or even blitzing ball handlers. What stands out in his plays as a pick-and-roll defender is the distance he keeps between himself and the ball handler.

He’s using his length to his advantage. And due to his plus footwork, Jones can afford to impact a ball handler by luring him to a certain driving lane, as shown in the second play below. The fading finish at the rim led to a foul call not every referee will have, but it shows that Jones’ processing and execution of his reads are positive. He gets snaked in the first play but recovers well due to his fluid hips.

…

Offense

On an NBA floor, Jones will earn the majority of his points as a play-finisher. What stands out in his profile is the level of screening. Despite the NBA moving in a trend that results in a lower amount of attempts as the pick-and-roll roll man in the last few years, Jones will find a few of these in a game.

His screening activity on the perimeter combined with his understanding of when to roll, opens up a niche role for him to excel in as a short-roll playmaking and rim-finisher combined. Jones’ fearless character leads to him attempting to finish hard at the rim on each play. This is one of the reasons why he’s at 5.5 free-throw attempts per game while shooting a healthy 71.2% at the line. We see an example of this in the first and second plays below. The efficiency from the line also makes him more valuable in the sense that a team can play him in game-closing minutes.

An important nuance to add is that it’s not all rim-attack mode with Jones. He’s good at recognizing what the defense is giving up. In the last play below, we see his footwork and composure led to the easy layup finish despite the big man being in rim-protection mode. Making smart plays in scarce rim attempts on an NBA floor is the early value riser in his offensive profile.

While putting up 1.7 and 1.5 assists per game in the last two seasons, the numbers don’t stand out. However, where considering his role as a scoring-heavy big man, Jones wasn’t asked much to be the facilitator or ball-mover inside the arc. For the NBA, Jones stands out in executing basic reads, with his composure being his biggest weapon.

That combined with his good decision-making with the ball in his hands, shows that he doesn’t need much time to keep the ball moving. This benefits a team’s pace thus leading to more field goal attempts per game to increase the odds of maintaining a team’s offensive rating.

…

With NBA offenses moving more toward being motion-based, Jones will be challenged to keep the ball moving more to create plays like these more often. In the last play below we see how Jones recognizes angles to put himself into position for the ball handler. What stood out is that when Jones is moving off the ball, he’s always looking to position himself to stay within passing reach at all times, an underrated but crucial part of a cutter’s game.

NBA Draft Projection

Jones will be 23 years old on draft night and as a fifth-year senior, he shows an NBA-ready game with a clear role from day one. There is not much to consider in his profile in terms of untapped potential for the long term. However, by being one of the more NBA-ready prospects in this class, Jones will likely be on an NBA floor on opening night.

Dedication to the game and continuous development is something an NBA front office values. By earning a spot at the NBA Draft Combine via the route of the Portsmouth Invitational and the G League Elite Camp, Jones shows that his dedication to the game and hard work is starting to reap the rewards for Jones.

When considering Washington State’s team success and Jones’ continuation during the summer, I project him to be a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, likely to be selected in the 41 to 50 range.

Vote

You can vote here. You can also post a comment vote which counts as 10 votes. (Or both.) However, to officially count, the comment must be include exactly one hashtag #Reeves, #Bridges, #Jones or #Crawford.

Funny variations cause extra work for me.