The Denver Nuggets will workout NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player Tyus Jones on Monday, one of the team’s final pre-draft workouts in advance of Thursday’s NBA Draft.
Jones, a 6-foot-1 point guard, declared his draft eligibility after one year and a national championship at Duke University.
He is projected to go in the mid-to-late-teens, but has been labeled a possible “breakout star” by some analysts.
According to draftexpress.com, “Jones has average physical tools for the point guard position by NBA standards, being measured around 6-1, with a 190 pound frame and a wingspan between 6-3 and 6-5. He’s not an exceptional athlete on top of that, possessing just average speed in the open floor, without a great first step or vertical leap to compensate… he’s incredibly poised, confident and intelligent for an 18-year old, particularly operating in the clutch, earning him the well-deserved ‘Tyus Stones’ moniker.”
After the hiring of Michael Malone as the Nuggets’ new head coach, trade rumors took off about a possible deal to send point guard Ty Lawson to Sacramento to reunite him with former Nuggets coach George Karl – a possibility ESPN’s Chad Ford dismissed last week (paywall).
On Monday, following the news that Jones is working out with Denver, Ford posted this tweet:
Interesting. Tyus Jones working out today for the Nuggets. Hasn't worked out since Rockets a few weeks ago. Nuggets pick 7th
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 22, 2015
Jones is a true No. 1, so the Nuggets may still be shopping Lawson as part of a deal that could see them trade parts and picks to land multiple picks in the first round, including one that could net Jones.