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

Tre Jones can fit on the New Orleans Pelicans as the ideal fallback option for Lonzo Ball

Tre Jones’ Fit on the Pelicans

Personally, I don’t mind the concerns about Tre Jones’ offensive production. I think he showed in his sophomore season that he can score enough at the NBA level to be a good player. Scoring isn’t why I want Jones on the Pelicans anyway, I think he’s the perfect fallback if Lonzo Ball falls apart again.

As much as I love him, I don’t trust Lonzo Ball, not yet. I need him to prove that he’ll be consistent for 82 games season to season. If he’s won’t be then the Pelicans need a guy who can fill in the gaps and provide what Lonzo provides. I think Tre Jones can do that perfectly with pinpoint passing and elite perimeter defense.

I could see him seamlessly running the starting lineup at times when Lonzo is on a cold streak, and who knows maybe Jones’ presence lights a fire under Lonzo to be more consistent. He’s also a great addition to the bench.

I know adding a scoring guard to the second unit would spice things up, but that scoring production can from other positions. Having a player who’s an instant contributor on defense and can run an offense is extremely valuable, even if it’s not sexy.

Just think Jones’ playmaking ability can improve the bench’s output as much as someone’s scoring can. If the Pelicans allow him to create shots for others then the bench will score more thanks to the better quality of shots they’re getting.

Taking Tre Jones with their first pick in the second round should be on the table for the New Orleans Pelicans. They might just find that he’ll be a player that can improve the team in nearly every way going forward.