NBA Draft results: San Antonio Spurs select Tre Jones with 41st pick

Using the 41st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs doubled down on defense by picking point guard Tre Jones from Duke University.

After taking a steal at No. 11 with Devin Vassell, the San Antonio Spurs doubled-down by selecting Tre Jones at No. 41 in the 2020 NBA Draft. A 6-foot-3 point guard coming off an ACC Player of the Year season, Jones was amongst the best players available at this point in the draft. Despite boasting guard depth already, Jones affirms San Antonio’s commitment to defense in this class.

During the 2019-20 NCAA season, Jones averaged 16.2 points, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per contest. A 36.1 percent 3-point shooter in his sophomore campaign, Jones is a fantastic ball-handler who should help the team improve its pick-and-roll play once established in the Spurs’ system. Expect him to spend the beginning of his career playing for the Austin Spurs, getting his feet wet in the G League before jumping into the pro’s rotation.

This was an absolute steal for San Antonio. Jones was projected by many to go in the late first-round or in the early second, but No. 41 is a fantastic value for a player who projects to compete at the highest level with heart and hustle. He’s not the most physically imposing player and chances are, he’ll need to pack on more muscle to stand a chance, but his drive and instinct are second to none.

Jones just found himself in the best possible situation, playing for a franchise that understands what he has to offer. San Antonio fell off defensively over the last few years, but a chance to play behind Patty Mills, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White should help him learn about competing at the next level and utilizing what he’s got instead of aspiring to be someone he’s not.

Once it’s all said and done, the San Antonio might be walking away from this NBA Draft with another incredible guard defender. A true leader whose college accolades back up the eye test, Jones has a chance to overcome the odds and crack the team’s rotation in the near future.

Don’t misconstrue it — This is a win for the San Antonio Spurs franchise.