Los Angeles Lakers draft target: Tre Jones, PG, Duke
For many of the same reasons Mannion would be an excellent fit in LA, Jones also fits the bill. However, he would come in a little more seasoned than Mannion thanks to him spending a second season fine-tuning his skill set in Durham.
Jones is an excellent PG who rarely makes bad decisions and is an elite defender who put the clamps on many opposing guards during his time at Duke. His shooting percentages improved over the course of his college career and he has become above-average from both the three-point free throw lines.
With the Lakers, he would have a legitimate opportunity to run the second unit from day one. And who knows, maybe he could even work his way into the starting lineup thanks to his impressive defensive chops.
The only concern I truly have with Jones is that his potential is capped by his so-so athleticism. But right now, the Lakers are looking for players who can come in and make an immediate impact. That is exactly what you are getting in Jones.
He knows his capabilities and he doesn’t try to do too much. The same can’t be said for some of the current secondary ball handlers on the roster. At the bottom of the first round, Jones would be a strong fit and one of the best options available for the Lakers.