With the NBA on hold due to the global pandemic of coronavirus, the majority of the attention in the league has turned from actual games to the draft and the offseason in the summer. So, in this case, Sixers Wire is continuing the 10 part draft series of realistic draft options for the Philadelphia 76ers at 22nd overall in the draft.
If you missed the other draft profiles, check them out here:
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For the Sixers, a lot of draft profiles have been focused on the need of shooting that they have to have for the floor to be properly spaced. There is another need that they have and that is the backup point guard position. As mentioned in the past, Raul Neto has not lived up to expectations and Trey Burke was released in order to bring in Alec Burks. So, this edition is focused on a point guard option behind Ben Simmons.
Tre Jones, Duke
Whenever Simmons goes to the bench, the Sixers need a guy who can step in and keep the offense running smoothly. Neto is a capable shooter and he is serviceable, but the Sixers are at a point where they need some consistent offense off the bench and Jones can do that. He had a solid season at Duke averaging 16.2 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 36.1% from deep.
He has a high basketball IQ and he can run an offense smoothly as he won’t hurt the team with any bad turnovers. He also is not awful defensively despite standing at only 6-foot-3 and having limited length. He can be the backup point guard the team can feel comfortable about and could also start when it’s needed.
Bryan Kalbrosky over at Rookie Wire actually has Jones mocked to the Sixers at 22 in the latest draft:
The 76ers have suffered from a lack of depth in their backcourt behind Ben Simmons. But selecting Duke point guard Tre Jones would be an immediate answer to this problem. Jones, who won ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, is arguably the best defensive point guard in this draft class. This will help earn him playing time right away in big moments. Plus, he is able to be a floor general and lead the offense when Simmons is not on the court.
Jones has a ton of potential to eventually be a starter in this league. Due to his high IQ and his ability to be a productive and reliable shooter, he would make a ton of sense for the Sixers at 22. He also would not have to produce so much right away behind an All-Star like Simmons. It would give him time to develop and he could round into a starting-caliber point guard in the league.
At 22, a team is not looking for a game-changing type of talent. They are looking for somebody to come in and help give that team what they need. A guy like Jones gives the Sixers a bit of an upgrade over Neto right now. [lawrence-related id=29502,29492,29482]