One of the biggest questions surrounding the San Antonio Spurs roster, prior to the start of the season, was at point guard. At the time, there were two options to start: Tre Jones and Josh Primo. Jones won out, but Primo was viewed as the team’s point guard of the future, whereas Jones was just a placeholder. Of course, with the Spurs releasing Primo, that’s obviously not the case anymore.
Still, Jones has more than earned the role of starting point guard with his play thus far. In seven starts this season, Jones is averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season and is having an impact on the San Antonio Spurs, helping them get out to a 5-2 start. His game isn’t exactly flashy, but he understands the position better than most.
Jones is a terrific playmaker, particularly out of the pick and roll and in transition. He’s effective at navigating screens and getting into the paint, thereby drawing attention away from shooters on the perimeter. Or, he can increase the tempo by pushing the ball in transition, helping the team get easy baskets, which is a major reason why the Spurs rank third in pace and 10th in offensive rating.