Heat swingman Derrick Jones Jr. is drawing rave reviews.
Swingman could push for expanded role this season, NBA scout says
MIAMI — Scouts don’t gush. Especially during summer league.
And then there is this froma long-time NBA scout assigned to take stock of the talent at the California Classic, the first of the MiamiHeat’s two summer leagues. “It’s unbelievable,” the scout said. He was talking about swingman Derrick Jones Jr., anonymity required because of the nature of hiswork.
“He’s much improved. It’s unbelievable,” the scout said. “Once again, the Miamisystemworking its magic. His shot looks good. He’s offensive rebounded well. He gets to the basket. He uses his athleticism, his quickness to take guys off the dribble and on the offensive glass.”
Granted, it’s only three games into a summer-league schedule that will run at least five more games, resuming today in Las Vegas against a similar team of rookies, free agents and young players from the New Orleans Pelicans. But the initial assessment from the scout on Jones was of a player with emerging skills that will translate beyond summer league. Jones has led theHeat in scoring in each of their summer games to this stage, with 24, 21 and 19 points in the 40-minute games.
“He looks like he might actually play this year,” the scout said, with Jones limited to 14 appearances with the Heat last season, nowgoing fromlast season’s twoway contract to a guaranteed standard contract for the coming season. “He certainly looks like he could be a rotation player. He’s more a three than a two. He looks like a player.”
The scout also emerged impressed with centerBamAdebayo, the only player fromlast season’s playoff roster participating in summer league, with Adebayo averaging a double-double over the three games.
“They’re giving him total license to do whatever,” he said of Adebayo taking a pronounced ball-handling role through the first three games of summer league. “They’re trying to develop his offense. Now, he gets carried away, he doesn’t always make good decisions, but he can really handle, he can. So that’s a positive.
“You can throwthe ball into the post to him against second-line guys. But he really isn’t an offensive player. He’s probably showing more now. They’re clearly trying to develop him.”
As for the other player on the Heat’s summer roster who was with the team last season, therewas anunevenreview to this stage, with DerrickWalton Jr. struggling with his shot (5 of 27), but active with his playmaking (18 assists).
“He plays hard. He’s a tough little guy,” the veteran scout said. “He makes some nice defensive plays. I don’t know, I think he’s a third-stringer, at best. He’s marginal.”
Asfor the undrafted free agentwhohas made the most significant impact, the scout said Michigan forward Duncan
Robinson has arrived as advertised with his 3-point shooting. After an uneven start in the Heat’s summeropening loss to the Golden State Warriors, when Robinson shot 1 of 4 on 3-pointers, he has gone 9 of 13 on three over the past two games, victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.
“The defense remains to be seen. He’s not a threeandguy, he’s a three guy,” the scout said. “He doesn’t expend much energy. But he can make shots, he can really shoot. He probably has to be open. He’s not going to create on his own. A spot-up, three-point shooter.”
The scout also offered thoughts on the performances to this point of five others on the Heat summer roster.
On undrafted Arkansas guard Daryl Macon: “He’s not bad. His resume is pretty good. I’m not sure if he’s a twoormaybe acombo guard. He’s quick. I don’t think he’ll make it at first, but he’s a guy who probably could put the numbersupin the G League. I don’t think he’s an exceptional talent, but he’s one of these guys that couldmake it. I’d say he maybe has a chance. Pretty quick. Slight body.”
On undrafted Georgia forward YanteMaten: “He’s not really cut. He can shoot. I don’t really have a handle on his game. I know he had a good college career. He did not strike me as an NBA guy. He’s not a super athlete. He’s maybe a little undersized for a four.”
On G League center Landry Nnoko: “He is a shot-blocker, rebounder, very active defensively. Can’t score. He plays really hard. I think he’s a cut below NBA-wise. He can guard. He’s very enthusiastic. He’s, at best, a thirdstring center. Could he make the NBA? Yes. He plays hard. He can guard some. But he can’t score.”
On guard Rashad Vaughn, the 2015 firstround Milwaukee Bucks pick:“He had one good year in college. He comes in the league, he’s a first-round pick, but he doesn’t know how to play. Just look at his numbers. He’s been on three teams, he’s shooting 34 overall and 31 from three.”
On G League guard Ike Nwamu: “I think he’s a G League player. He’s a little heavy-set. He does not strikemeas anNBAplayer.” Twitter @iraheatbeat