Tyus Jones
After selecting Towns with their top overall pick, Minnesota traded back into the first round, giving up two second-round picks in the process, to take Duke’s Tyus Jones with the 24th pick via Cleveland.
Dunking with Wolves
Now, I’ve been hard on Jones for many reasons, but this was a very smart, innovative move by the Timberwolves. Though his defense hasn’t changed — the fact that he really doesn’t play any — and he’s not going to get much taller than his 6-foot frame sits at now, Jones made too much sense for Minnesota.
For starters, one thing Minnesota really lacked last season, among many things, was a true, serviceable backup point guard. Especially after the Mo Williams-for-Gary Neal trade, the Wolves were stuck with Zach LaVine as their point guard when Ricky Rubio was out of action or off the court.
While it made sense to play LaVine at the 1, he’s not a point guard. Jones is a point guard, through and through. He provides outside shooting, solid court vision, passing ability and a team-first mentality. He’ll get his, but it’s not his first instinct to score, just when it calls for it.
Secondly, Jones is a native of Apple Valley, Minn., about a 30-minute drive from the Twin Cities. Jones has been a notable name in basketball since what feels like forever. He’ll put butts in the seats. Tickets will be sold to see Jones play on the Target Center floor. They’ll also be able to see that fellow Wiggins, but Jones is a big draw in the state himself.
From a basketball standpoint and a marketing standpoint — one of the most unrecognized aspects to pro sports — Jones fits pretty well for this team.
Next: Two Towns, One Man