8P9S NBA Mock Draft 1.0: With the 26th pick, the Indiana Pacers select…
By Ben Gibson
No. 24 — Boston Celtics: Tre Jones, PG
School: Duke | Class: Freshman | Height: 6’2” | Weight: 185 | Age: 18
Let me start this segment by saying this: Terry Rozier sucks. Now that we have that out-of-the-way, the Celtics will be in the market to add a backup point guard and the perfect candidate is on the board. The Celtics have already added two guys who I consider lottery talents, so let’s add a third and call it a heist.
Often underrated, it is easy to dismiss Jones due to his woeful shooting and smaller stature. But Jones has plenty of indicators that project him as a highly valuable guard in the NBA, such as his uber-elite decision-making and passing, fantastic defensive ability and underrated handle and finishing ability.
If he can ever learn to shoot (and teaching the spot three is not rocket science) Jones will bring major value in a similar vein to Monte Morris who is a supremely valuable player due to his elite decision making and excellent shooting.
Even if Jones can only get to 35% or so, his élite defense should be enough to make up for his lack of élite shooting. — Ben Pfeifer