Part of the fun of doing these Season Reviews is the opportunity to spend a few minutes thinking and writing about players we otherwise don’t spend much time on. Mason Jones is a perfect example. Following Keon Ellis’ ascension from Two-Way player to a full roster spot in February, Mason Jones was promoted to a Two-Way deal after having spent some time playing for the Stockton Kings. Jones didn’t get much opportunity in Sacramento, appearing in just 5 games for an average of 5.6 minutes per game. In those limited minutes, Jones averaged 1.4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist, with shooting percentages that are better left unmentioned.
Jones performed better in his games with the Stockton Kings, where Jones averaged 16 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.6% from beyond the arc on 6.3 3PAs per game. His performance earned Jones Second Team All G League honors.
But for me, the numbers and the G League honors aren’t going to be what I remember about Mason Jones. I’ll remember him as the guy who was absolutely electric cheering on his teammates from the bench. Few Kings players in franchise history have exuded the kind of bench enthusiasm that Jones brought to every contest. He was the first guy to jump to his feet for every big shot, even the ones that missed. His towel-waving was elite. And while it may seem like I’m making fun of Jones, I promise I am not. I love a good bench dude, and Jones was a great bench dude.
Jones turns 26 in a few days, and I don’t expect him to develop into much more than he is. I think there are likely better ways for the Kings to use their Two-Way spots for next season. But I will always remember Jones for his bright blonde hair and even brighter bench energy and presence.
Clearly outperformed the bench dude contributions of Filip Petrusev and Juan Toscano-Anderson!
I had totally forgotten about those 2.
I was hoping Petrusev would have been a good pickup, but he apparently wasn’t up to snuff.
Next up, Alicia Miller, followed by Riley Beckwith and equipment manager Dougie McCormick !
What about the people that wipe the sweat from the floor?!?!
Has anyone mentioned Harrison Ingram yet as a potential pick at 13?
A lot of Royce O’Neale to his game. That’s a guy many people wanted to trade a future first for.
Can defend multiple positions, slides his feet well on the perimeter but also has a really strong base and plays with physicality. very switchable. good rebounder. good ball handler, passer, ball mover. Now has improved shot mechanics and shoots spot up threes at a good percentage.
Not at 13. I have seen him in the mid 2nd round…
take a look at the Alabama game in the sweet 16. Towards the end of the first half, he runs the break, attacks a close-out to finish with a lefty layup, pokes the ball loose with his 7+ wingspan, he also flashed a side-step three.
He changed his trainer last summer and we are seeing results.
Waaaay better defender than Da Silva who big wings can bully. And slides his feet on the perimeter better. More NBA ready than Furphy.
What do you think about Jaylon Tyson?
good question. I like his one-on-one moves, but think he might be overrated on defense. I saw a 2 or 3 full games His court awareness bugged me. Would not pick him at 13.
I wouldn’t either. He might be a guy that is taken in the 20s, and I wonder if the Kings would trade back from 13 in a larger trade and draft someone like him later in the 1st.
I’d rather take Ingram at 13. A lot of value there on a rookie contract. Gives a lot of lineup possibilities – a bigger lineup with Ingram and Keegan at 2 and 3, next to a bigger 4. or a smaller lineup next to Keon at the 2. also can backup point guard. you could even see a lineup at times of Ingram at PG, Keon at SG, Keegan at SF, a big 4 like Jalen Smith, and Sabonis.
Salaun at 13 is another good option if he’s still on the board.
I don’t see a scenario where Ingram is taken at #13.
Salaune is a the definition of boom/bust draftee. He is shooting around 35% on layups in the half-court, but shoots a decent 3pt%. Super raw and hard to project.
At #13 I like Ja’Kobe Walter, Jared McCain, Filipowski, and Da Silva. Be happy with any of those 4.
why not? Jalen Williams jumped up the board after the combine. it’s a weak draft. Every player has questions and at least with Ingram, you’re getting a versatile player who looks like he’ll stick in the league, fits the team, fills a need, ready now with room for improvement.
I haven’t seen enough from Walter to justify a lottery pick on him. I would not draft Da Silva at 13 either because I think you’d have to hide him on D like Huerter. With McCain, I’d like to see more PG skills like Bibby to justify picking him at 13. With Filipowski, I need convincing re: shooting and hip durability.
What is the hip durability you speak about with Filipowski?
I read that he had hip pain last year, was diagnosed with “malformed hips”, had surgery on both last summer, and then watching the tape, it looked like there were times he was moving well and other times not.
“malformed hips” is not really a precise diagnosis. I had acetabular impingement on one hip. Surgery worked wonders to remove excess bone but there had been enough cartilage damage that certain sports with certain movements like skiing are out of the question because of how it digs bone on bone.
Walter is fine. not a great creator but Kings need size. Flip, Saluan, DaSilva and Ware. Saluan will probably be gone and is as raw as the carrots in my garden. DaSilva is limited.
Walker and Collier are guards with upside and McCain can shoot and are fine players but the Kings don’t have the best guards but they have plenty of them.
Need size- draft Flip or Ware, sign N. Marshall or O’Neil and trade for that goofy Ingram and then draft the other one at 45.
13 way to high for Ingram.
#13 is right range for the guys you mentioned but Kings need size. I want to see some lobs and dunks ( about 2 all year last year)
The 2 guards are good but the Kings don’t need guards
I suspect that Saluan goes to Spurs (second pick) or Blazers above Kings. Would be solid pick at 13 but he needs a couple of years.
I would pick size at 13- Flip, Ke’el Ware, DaSilva, Saluan and not any of the guards.
yeah, I bet Salaun goes top 10 in this draft. we’ll see. he might want to play in a switching defense and shoot threes for a competitive team that needs a power forward.
I remembered your earlier comments about Kel’el Ware and decided to watch a game of his at Indiana yesterday. It was sooooo bad. head scratcher plays. errant passes 10 feet away from any teammate. coach pissed off at him. sounds like he’ll bounce around for a while.
If we’re looking at tall shooters with questionable athleticism for the nba like Da Silva (who I still have as a 1st rounder), might as well look at Scheierman. I just mentioned him in today’s thread.
not at 13. Won’t drop to 45.
not at 13. Good at 45/
Who is this guy and why do the Kings pay him?
Moral support?
Maybe the cool hair?
Maybe a distraction for the poor performing team at times?
My wife just called him the hype man and he was great at that job!
47% on 6.2 attempts?! Seems like there might be an opportunity for a guy like that to be a floor spacer.
His energy was solid. Best bench dude ever.
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