Pelicans NBA Draft: Tre Jones is the perfect back-up point guard

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Feb 1, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Tre Jones (3) controls the ball as Syracuse Orange forward Quincy Guerrier (left) and guard Buddy Boeheim (back) defend during the second half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

The New Orleans Pelicans need to question Tre Jones’ offensive output and aggression before selecting him in the 2020 NBA Draft

Tre Jones’ Weaknesses

Tre Jones enters this draft with some red-flags that are clear and defined. That’s why he’s not being considered as a first-round pick. The question is can the New Orleans Pelicans minimize these weaknesses?

Before we answer that question, we need to know where Jones’ weaknesses are. They’re all on the offensive side of the ball.

We know that Jones plays great as a floor general, but can he score enough to keep the defense honest at the NBA level? That’s a concern most teams have when it comes to Jones. He lacks the aggression to score which at times makes offense passive and predictable when he’s on the floor.

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Compounding this issue, there are questions about Jones’ ability to score too. Throughout his time at Duke, Jones has been a mediocre finisher at the basket even when he’s had some of the NCAA’s most menacing big men clearing lanes for him. Tack on the fact that while his shooting leaped last season, he hasn’t shot consistently enough to prove he’s a viable threat in the NBA.

The New Orleans Pelicans struggled scoring with their second unit last year so it’s reasonable for the team to question how Jones would fit with the team because of his offensive output. If you’re asking me, here’s what I think.