Soaring Down South
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NBA Mock Draft 4.0 — Warriors Take Wiseman First, Hawks grab LaMelo

By Dallin Duffy

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /
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NBA Mock Draft
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 04: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils defends Chris Lykes #0 of the Miami Hurricanesduring the first half at the Watsco Center on January 04, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

player. Pick Analysis. Tre Jones. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Brooklyn). 16. 86. Scouting Report. PG, Duke

Minnesota has a lot of options with their second pick in the top-20 and could take a more boom-or-bust type pick than Jones. But with D’Angelo Russell – one of the worst backcourt defenders in the league – looking to be their point guard of the future, they take the Duke product who might be the best perimeter defending guard in the draft.

Jones is a true lockdown defender despite his small frame and was recognized by his conference at the season’s end. The 6’3 point guard was named to the ACC All-Defense team and was also given the conference’s defensive player and overall player of the year awards.

He’s one of the most accomplished non-freshman to come out of Durham in a long time, and his winning attitude should give him a long career as a role player in the NBA.

Jones likely will never be anything more than that, however, but Minny could certainly use a team-first, floor general type to run the team’s second unit into the future. Jones could bring a veteran-style presence to Minnesota as a rookie, which could be worth the pick in itself.