Last year, I attended my first-ever NBA Summer League in person. I was excited, but a bit disappointed to find out Devin Carter wouldn’t play due to surgery announced shortly after the Kings’ roster reveal. With his absence, I decided to focus on scouting some lesser-known players and keeping an eye on how Keon Ellis and (RIP) Coby Jones would handle being primary initiators. My trip to Las Vegas was mostly just for funsies, but attending the Summer League had always been high on my bucket list. I couldn’t resist putting on my unofficial Kings scout hat over a beer or three and take in the mostly unknown talent.
A few players stood out during my experience: Isaac Jones was the one I immediately felt could be a guy. Jones showcased some intriguing skills. Over five games, he averaged 11.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, logging 28.5 minutes per game. While his shooting from deep (22% on 1.8 attempts per game) needs work, his athleticism and instincts stood out. He averaged 1.4 blocks per game and consistently stayed active, exhibiting great energy and effort both defensively and around the rim.
The Summer League isn’t the main story here; it’s more of a gateway to recounting my first impressions of Jones. It also gives me a chance to give shoutouts to Boogie Ellis, Drew Timme, and Adonis Arms, who all left a positive mark during their five-game stretch.
Fast forward to the regular season, Jones had a modest start under Mike Brown barely finding opportunities to crack the rotation. His overall season stats might not jump off the page, with averages of 3.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 7.6 minutes per game while shooting 65% from the floor. But if you break it down into specific stretches of opportunity, you start to see flashes of potential.
Stepping Up During Trey Lyles’ Absence
When Trey Lyles went down after the November 25 game against the Thunder, Jones got his first real chance to be part of the rotation. From then through December 6, he logged 16 minutes per game across seven contests. During this stretch, he impressed with averages of 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks while shooting an outstanding 68.6%. His role as a rim-running big capitalized on his ability to hustle in transition and dominate weaker post defenders—an impactful skill set the team had been missing and a refreshing contrast to what Lyles brought to that position.
His next meaningful opportunity came after the trade deadline, with De’Aaron Fox gone and Kevin Huerter out, and key reinforcements like Zach LaVine and Jonas Valančiūnas having not joined the roster. During this stretch, Jones averaged 5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 66.7% shooting. This time, he had to adapt to playing alongside Lyles, which introduced new positional challenges and defensive assignments.
Late in the season, Jones and Lyles shared the front court again due to an injury to Jake LaRavia. Between March 29th and the end of the regular season on April 13th, Isaac appeared in six games, albeit in limited minutes (6.8 per game). His stats during this period weren’t significant (2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds), but it’s worth noting that Doug Christie seemed to see him as a potential “next man up.” Christie appeared to value what he showed in the G League, during practices and in garbage-time minutes during blowouts.
Dominating in the G League
While I’m not someone who grinds through hours of Stockton Kings tape, Jones’ G League performances are worth covering for his season in review. Over 12 games, he averaged 31.9 minutes, 21 points, 10 rebounds, roughly 1 block, and 1 steal while shooting 57% from the field. What does this tell me? When given the opportunity to play significant minutes, Jones produced and continued to do so rather efficiently. The question now is whether his flashes in limited NBA minutes and strong G League play can translate and scale into a larger role.
He has the size, athleticism and skill set the Kings desperately need. I’d expect to see him in action during the upcoming Summer League, where he can further prove his worth. It’s worth mentioning that the previous Kings management—Monty and the boys, as I affectionately call them (which, incidentally, sounds like the name of an indie bluegrass band)—converted him to a standard NBA contract that includes a team option this offseason.
If you’ve made it this far, it’s probably obvious that I’m a fan of Jones’ game. I genuinely believe he has the tools to establish himself in the league and, hopefully, stick with the Kings. Here’s hoping the team picks up his option and we get to see more consistent opportunities for him in the near future.
Final Grade
C+
I mentioned in the previous thread that the Kings have a contract decision to make on Jones. There is a TO for is $1.9M contract. That’s an insanely cheap contract for an end of the bench live body. For comparison sake, the 30th pick in this year’s draft is guaranteed $2.7M their first year. The vet minimum in the league for a player with 1 year of service is $2M.
Basically, the Kings will struggle to find anyone cheaper for the role Jones may play as your 4th big off the bench in very limited minutes. He’s the Kings version of what Precious Achiuwa was for the Knicks. FWIW, Achiuwa made $6M last year.
I say pick up his TO because the Kings need live bodies and have to somehow get to 14 active players by the start of next season. He’s also just one hell of a feel good story.
Yes. I also think he plays the right way. Busts his ass on both ends of the floor. Will turn 25 in July, but as you said he’s on a good contract.
Lots of guys like him towards the end of the rotations in this year’s Conference Finals, and Finals.
Much rather fill the end of the bench with players like him over guys like Terrance Davis.
I’ll be totally shocked if TD is on the roster opening night. Out of the league for 2 years, the very definition redundancy, an undersized combo guard and doesn’t fill a position of need. I feel he will be either traded or cut by the end of the week. Jones at least fills a position of need.
I also think that TD is redundant with I. Crawford and M. Jones on the team.
I think people might be sleeping on Mason Jones, he is probably the best option on the roster for PG outside of Monk. He won G-League Finals MVP playing point for the Stockton Kings and his per 36 indicate a min 2:1 AST/TO ratio during his NBA mins (last year, in his NBA mins he actually had a 9:1 AST/TO ratio per 36mins, but very SSS). In Stockton, he shot 41% from 3 on 9 3PA/Gm and he dished out 7.4 Asts to 3.5 TOVs/gm.
I am not saying he’s a great PG and that the team doesn’t need to find their long-term PG of the future, but unless Tyrese Maxey or Cason Wallace somehow become available, there isn’t a good option in the FA market for the Kings and Mason Jones is one of the best available options of players currently on the roster or available in the FA market. I’d let M. Jones play point up to the trade deadline rather than spending money on Tyus or Tre Jones for a couple of years because at least Mason is a good defender while still being a decent floor-spacer and a good ball-handler who
can’t[edited] can get the ball up the court and into their offense (he’s not a great playmaker, but he is better than his numbers indicate).In that role, I jones for I. Jones.
Isaac In Sac
Hope he doesn’t get Saac’d while Jonesing for a roster spot.
He is worth the contract and roster spot. He had some inexperienced moments during the season, which is expected, but also showed what the Kings needed, energy, hustle, lob threat, and never backed down or look intimidated by more seasoned players.
I agree. It doesnt seem to bother him if he gets dunked on, gets crossed over, or gets bullied by the bigger centers down low. Its on to the next play for him. The effort is there, but unfortunately, you see the talent limitations. But a useful bench player nonetheless.
Holiday to the Blazers for Simons and some 2nd round picks…
Saw a trade sending Derozan to the Griz for Brandon Clark. Scottie Pippen Jr and Santi Aldama( sign and trade).
I propose a trade now that both Carter and Monk are tradeable. Monk, Carter, our 2027 first for RJ Barrett and Toranto’s #9.
I feel RJ has more value than Monk and Carter combined. No way they make that trade straight up without even including the #9
When you compare Monk with Barrett Monk comes out on top in most catagoties.
PS And the Raptors were looking at Monk to acquire so IMO it just might work.
I retract that compaison. Was looking at the wrong stats.
IMO the above trade just might work. First the Raptors are really considering Monk and according to the Raptors Barrett is the odd man out in their rotation. Carter would be a good addition to the mix as his value has been going up the last 2 or 3 days. Add the King’s 2027 first and IMO that’s a good trade.
Why did the Blazers do that? They gave up assets for Holiday and his contract?
As of now, I guess a veteran mentor for Sharpe and Scoot?
Maybe they didn’t want to pay Simons and his market wasn’t good?
Idk, but Grant and Holiday make a solid chunk of change on a team that probably won’t make much noise in the West next season.
I think there is something else at play. Boston couldn’t aggregate Jrue’s deal since they are 2nd apron, PDX just did them a huge favor by cutting Boston’s cap by nearly $5M. I can’t believe PDX would take on a ton more salary, add two 2nd round picks and trade away a young scorer for Jrue. It really doesn’t make sense for team going through a rebuild and team sale.
My gut says this is the beginnings of something else.
Yeah, makes no sense. But I’m glad we didn’t trade Domas for Holiday or Simons
The trade by itself makes ZERO sense for POR, there is either something else coming or Cronin just got hosed.
Seriously, they PAID TO TAKE ON $74MM!
Normally, you get an FRP for roughly every $25M-$30M taken on (quality of FRPs varies). They should’ve received 2 FRPs instead of sending any draft capital out (plus they sent out an expiring contract) and this is coming from someone who views Jrue Holiday as one of my favorite 2-way PGs in the league.
He should be taking all of Lyles’ minutes and all the back up PF minutes. Give him 39 minutes a game and see what he does. As the roster stands now, Kings are going to be in the playoffs-in spin cycle so why not take a chance.
I meant 20 minutes
I really hope we keep this guy and give him more minutes. Love his story.
Lets get wild. If Boston is indeed this desperate for cut salary: DDR and some 2nds for Zinger. That trade saves the Celtics $5.98M. Then in a separate trade, Terrance Davis (and his zero guarantee) for Baylor Scheierman. Celtics can cut TD’s zero guarantee and save an additional $2.6M. That’s $8.6M shaved off of the C’s cap.
Or…Zinger for JV and Monk and draft capital. Saves the Celtics $1.5M and gives them a big to eat up Zinger’s minutes and Monk off of the bench
Often Injured Star level talent on the downslope of their career and Sacramento Kings is a BAD mix, IMO. It’s why I also don’t want to entertain any Ben Simmons trade.
I can see him in Los Angeles at Cryto.Com or Intuit Dome
Remember – the Lakers have new ownership – and you know that means: They want to make a grand Hollywood style entrance to the League.
Ballmer also has money to burn and wants a better team.
He is definitely often injured. No argument there, but I wouldn’t say he’s on the downslope of his career. If all you are giving up is DDR and some bench players, it might be worth the risk. Should Perry think LaVine and Sabonis are foundation of this flawed roster, a player like Zinger could fit in nicely between Domas and Keegan…when he’s on the court.
I’d do it just to balance the roster a bit, since I believe LaVine and Sabonis are going nowhere.
Ben Simmons is a free agent and would be asking for close to the vet minimum – no trade necessary.
I would trade for KP if Boston sent a 1st the Kings way. It would get them off of the guaranteed money for the 1st round pick and might get the Kings to bite.
Oft injured, sure it’s a problem. His contract also only runs through the 26-27 season, same as LaVine. When KP is healthy, he actually seems like a solid fit on the roster. Maybe the Kings medical staff can work some magic and keep him healthy!!!
As a fit – Domas and Kristaps seems an almost hand and glove type. But if you were to compare one other player to The Unicorn – it would be Myles Turner. And the history of that, with the same coach that was at the NBA Finals is not good.
True, but those teams also didn’t have Hali and Pascal and Carlisle was in his first year with Indy when the Sabonis trade happened. If the consensus around these parts is that Sabonis and Keegan need a stretch rim protecting 4 between them, Zinger does fit that bill. Hypothetically, if Memphis made JJJ available, would’t he seem like a good fit as well? Turner and JJJ seem like very similar players to me.
The difference with Turner and Sabonis together was that Turner did not take as many 3s, nor did he make as many 3s as KP has recently. I think the offensive load would be much less for KP with the Kings. He would be the floor stretching big that they need in the corners, and just a big shot altering guy defensively. He would also fit with JV as well.
Boston does have the #28 (which I can’t beleive wasn’t sent to PDX) and it’s guaranteed salary that they might be looking to get out of. I thought that could be included in a Monk and JV deal, with the Kings possibly sending some 2nds back.
Isaac Jones is a very nice Richaun Holmes replacement. Energy, rebounding, some rim defense, low post scoring.
As pointed out, you can’t beat his contract cost. And he has a nice story to go with it.
I look forward to seeing more from only remaining Jones of the 3 we saw at one time (Mason, Colby and Isaac). The other two are good examples of what Isaac might be:
Mason is a G League starter/All-Star that can’t seem to be find enough umph to make it into the Bigs, even the Kings. Oddly, to me, he seemed much too hesitant and indecisive at various times, like an unsure rookie, and he just couldn’t produce enough when given opportunity. Colby Jones was a blur of chaos, distracting as much as accomplishing. His defensive energy was good, his offense poor, IMO. He ended up looking like Chris Duarte-lite, and that is not a compliment.
At Vegas Summer League – Colby Jones, Mason Jones, Jalen Slawson were each just another guy in a uniform. They didn’t produce any additional glances. That was consistent with their time with the Kings. It is interesting how there is a definite separation between G League talent and NBA talent. VSL is only way to evaluate. Keon Ellis was very disappointing last Summer at that venue.
This shirt is awesome! And that ring is large.
Got to love this!
And yes, that ring is ginormous. Caruso is 6’5″, #190, and that hand candy looks massive on him. Ringa ding ding! Wait until he gets his Thunder version (that’s the LA one).
McCollum and Olynik headed to Washington for Jordan Poole and Bey. Is Saddiq gettable now?
Getting a Poole and a Bey in the Delta is a wash.
That Washington roster is bizarre and bizarrer. A fringe of old and young, with an empty middle. Reminds of something we’ve seen in Sacramento not so long ago – a sort of salad of leftovers and raw vegetables.
Wizards have so many expiring deals now. Guess they are looking for cap space next year. Maybe looking at taking on bad deals and getting picks.
Close to a hundred Mil with Middleton, CJ, Smart and Olynyk. Should be active over the next 9 months.
On the plus side, only have to get lit up by CJ twice next season for not picking him.
So maybe we can send them DDR and Get Smart!
I’ll give you my ball hog old guy for your washed up old guy, and we’ll see you in the finals!
How about a trade between Kings and Blazers? Portland gets Sabonis and Kings get Ayton, Henderson and #11. Ayton is a very good defender rebounder and can score in the paint. Kings would need to revamp their offense around Ayton and Henderson could start at point guard, Has a lot of potential. I would still get Tyrus Jones to start and Henderson as a backup for a year or two then becomes Kings starting point guard. We also get #11 in this years draft.
Yikes!
Next summer’s free agent class is supposed to be stacked.
Thank god Vivek didn’t get a chance to trade for Poole.
Yet.
I wasn’t going to put that into the universe, BUT YOU DID!!!!
Why does it always seem the Kings sit out on offseason activity. Does Vivek not pay the cell phone bills?
Celtics turned Jrue and Zinger into Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang, and 3 send round picks. That ain’t good, but it has gotten them below the 2nd Apron. Mission accomplished for a gap year ahead?
In that gap year, Jrue gets older and Zinger gets hurt. And they spent money. This saves money, gets them Simons and some picks. They got rid of Jrue just in time and Zinger- not reliable. Hawks get Zinger, lose a pick. Nets pick up Mann (servable) and pick. Best deals Nets.
Nets have too many first round picks-5. Cannot go that young all at once. Poor Jordi. Kings want a first rounder and Nets could use some Kings.
NOP still have assets- did not want CJ anyway.
$196M saved!! holy shit!
Exactly, this is why I thought teams would require them to pony up an FRP each to take on Holiday’s and Zinger’s contracts.
IMO, these were not great trades for POR or ATL, BOS is definitely getting bailed-out of salary jail without having to sacrifice too much at all.
BRK somehow made out with the #22 FRP for taking on a good rotation player in Terance Mann who is on a reasonable contract (3yrs/$47MM) and BRK only had to give up an expiring contract of $8.2M (G. Niang). Ridiculous.
Niang was on the Hawks. Brooklyn gave up nothing but cap space to take on Mann and the #22. That’s how you rebuild. They now have 5 first round picks TOMORROW.
You’re right…so they literally gave up nothing. They took on a useful player and received an FRP. WTH?
Collusion!!!
They were the only team in the league with that kind of cap space. Good on them for taking advantage of that situation. That’s the OKC model.
Nice breakdown Zack, I’m a fan of IJ for sure. The Jones Bros were a big reason Stockton won the whole thing, along with Crawford, Taylor & Dennis. He’s raw sure, but looks like he has potential. I like he tries and gives effort, seems to be efficient, and doesn’t have too many mistakes for a young dude.
Ok IMO we need to keep Sabonis. We trade Monk, Carter a 2027 first for RJ Barrett and their #9. Then trade Derozan to the Heat for Robinson, Jaquez and their #20.
While I would probably do this, doubt the other teams would play.
Right now as I write both teams Kings and Raptors are engaged in talks to make this happen. I hope it does.
Where are you hearing that?
This is overvaluing the Kings players. If the players had this value, the team wouldn’t be so bad.
I’ve been a fan of this kid since his first game in the Cali Classic and he’s only continued to impress me since then. At this point in his young career, he’s already Quincy Acy and is likely to only get better and hopefully become more well-rounded.
If I were the Kings, I would definitely invest into I. Jones future with developmental support, a well-defined role, and consistent playing time.
I kind of want to see Sabonis play with Luka would it work? Who knows? I dont even know what a trade would look like or if LA would be interested their future 1st rd picks could be good once Lebron retires or Luka gets injured and misses games
Per Marc Stein, Kings are leading candidate to use full MLE worth 14.1 million for…..*drum roll*…..Dennis Schroeder. Ladies and Gents of Kangzland, your new Sacramentooooo PG!
No thanks.
This organization has never taken flyers on younh players that may just need a change of scenery to improve. Those are the types of players this FO should be targeting. And there’s plenty of them out there.
Ugh. My apathy for this team keeps going lower.
With regard to this organization I wish I even had the energy for apathy.
It’s not that Schroeder is a bad option, but when hearing that the team was connected to Jrue, Trae, etc., it’s just kind of a let down. That’s why I didn’t take the talks about getting a high level PG seriously, because I knew it wouldn’t happen.
Schroeder would be fine as a backup PG, but the Kings already have Monk.
The Kings did well to find Isaac last summer. He’s definitely worth $1.9mil to see how he grows in his second season. I love his athleticism and work ethic.
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