It’s clear the Kings thought highly of Colby Jones when drafting him. Most draft pundits had Jones going in the late first round, and the Kings traded up slightly to get him in the 2nd round. The Kings also gave him a four year contract using the NBA’s new second round pick exception.
Jones’ rookie year wasn’t particularly impressive overall, as he only played limited minutes in mostly garbage time situations. He did become a slightly bigger part of the rotation towards the end of the season after both Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk went down, but even then he didn’t play much. Offensively he was a bit passive, and his three point shot in particular was way off. Jones made just two of his 22 attempts for the season. But there were some flashes of skill as both a defender, driver and playmaker, all traits he showcased in college where he was a “jack of all trades” kind of player.
Jones had more success in the G-League, averaging 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals in the 13 games he played for the Stockton Kings last year. Jones also shot a much better 37.5% from three with Stockton, including a night against Mexico City where he made 8 threes on his way to a 43 point night.
Coming into this season, Jones finds himself still on the outside of the rotation looking in. The Kings brought back Malik Monk, kept Kevin Huerter, and the emergence of Keon Ellis leaves yet another guard ahead of him in the rotation. The Kings also spent a lottery pick drafting another young guard in Devin Carter, although Carter will be out until at least January due to shoulder surgery.
Jones also didn’t impress much in Vegas Summer League this year despite being one of the “vets” of the team. Jones averaged only 10.4 points and shot just 35.6% from the field in five games of Summer League. Jones should have been able to play far better against the level of competition in Vegas but was instead outshined by the likes of Mason Jones, Isaac Jones and Boogie Ellis.
The Kings continue to have most of their depth at guard, and even the two-way contracts the Kings brought in (Isaac Jones and Isaiah Crawford) could be competition for any playing time that Jones might get. It’s hard to see Jones get any consistent playing time, especially if he can’t bring reliable shooting to the table. Jones talents are also probably best utilized as a ballhandler, and the Kings just have so many better options for that right now. It’s hard to see where Jones fits in with this team long term, let alone just this season.
Maybe Jones will surprise us this season like Keon Ellis did the year before, but even Ellis came in and showcased elite skills immediately, whereas Jones has only been mediocre. Jones will need to bring something to the table that the Kings can’t live without in order to secure a future, and so far he hasn’t.
I’m not holding out hope on him making an impact, especially (as Akis pointed out) since there is so much guard depth currently on the roster. At least he’s on a cheap deal to round out a roster with a partial guarantee for next season. If he shows any promise he’s back next year with little cap impact. Good teams need to find cheap deals with the new aprons, and the Kings have a few of them.
I see Jones and McDaniels not competing for minutes, but who gets the most opportunities to dress out for games. They may be competing just for that 12th spot.
An aside, as I scan the other NBA rosters I’ve come to the realization they nearly every team is incredibly deep with talent. IMO, the league is more than ready for expansion.
It would seem that 2 more teams could be added with the amount of talent all around the globe.
Colby jones is either a salary filler in a trade with Huerter just before the all star break or he’s not getting guaranteed for next season. Sadly for him that’s seemingly his future for the sacramento kings. With Carter being added there’s really zero chance he gets minutes. Upside for him is that he is making millions of dollars to work in getting better. All in all not a bad deal for him.
Once the Kings signed McLaughlin that was it for Colby as far as getting minutes on the big team.
Good points, both of you.
I thought last summer that he looked as good as carrot top for the duds. I was wrong. Colby regressed.
And I thought he would be this year’s Keon- up from nowhere but no.
Unless there is a miracle residing in him ( he finds out he needs contacts) then I think he is expendable.
If Colby Jones is on the floor at G1 something extreme has happened. This team is in real trouble if Colby has a consistent spot in the rotation.
Colby (why couldn’t his last name be Jack) Jones has some potential, he’s kind of a poor man’s DC13 but he needs a ton of development. The drafting of Carter would normally have marked the beginning of his end here but Monte comes from the Morey GM tree, which favors positionless basketball and guard-heavy rotations. I think he’ll get through his 3rd year but if he hasn’t developed his game enough to tap into the rotation he’s going to be looking for a new team.
This is my stance as well. Devin Carter is a replacement for Colby Jones. They both are in that guard/wing slot and with Carter being the first round draft pick, whatever minutes CoJones would get will be prioritized to Devin Carter, as they should be, unless Jones loudly shows a break through.
VSL is what it is, a stronger barometer to some of us know-little fans, then others, but IMO, it’s a step up showcase against a spicier level of competition. It’s short, and peaks and valleys occur, however, those 2nd year players that return to Summer League who are players just look the part – they needn’t score 30 or dominate the paint or some such thing, but they have that air that they belong.
I wanted to see that lift in Colby’s game, and it just ain’t there. He looked like every other undrafted or G-League hopeful on every other roster- lost in the sauce. I’m probably wrong (my usual), but it was disappointing.
Once again, the subtle levels of skill, talent and applicability must merge to be an NBA product. College level, China, Australia, Euro Leagues, G-League – it’s tough reaching the top floors of that pyramid to sign that NBA contract – and then another contract and so on, while you work to earn playing time.
If someone were selling Colby Jones stock, I’d be shorting it. Of course, I’m likely wrong, but that’s my hot take.
To accelerate the timeline or to take it to the next level the team needs to have a home run 2nd rd pick. A late pick who comes in a plays contributing minutes.
Isn’t that Keon Ellis?
Hopefully Ellis is a homerun. We will find out.
I wish we would at least consider roster construction when drafting, so as not to end up going into every camp with 8 guards and zero athletic frontcourt players.
I agree with the concept of drafting the best player available. With that being the strategy there also needs to be an awareness of the current roster. The best player available is a guard. We already have eight guards and only three of them are NBA level guards. Trade or waive the other five guards and use the spots to find the position.
So insightful, Marvin. They should really hire you to constantly repeat things like “I don’t like your roster construction” and “please trade away our best defensive player for a bag of chips”.
OT: Kings working out TJ Warren, Nassir Little, and Jae Crowder this week. Per Amick:
https://x.com/sam_amick/status/1835706566487707794
Hurt too much
Never proved his value
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