New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Point Guards To Keep An Eye On

Andrew Jones, Texas Longhorns

Projected: Late First Round
Age: 19 (12/9/1997)
Height & Weight: 6’4″ & 190 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line: .438/.346/.765
2016-17 Season Averages: 27.1 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Few players have experienced as meteoric a rise up draft boards as Texas Longhorns point guard Andrew Jones. Jones was ranked No. 32 on the 247Sports Composite Rankings, but is beginning to make his case for a potential lottery pick.

Jones is projected to come off the board in the 20-to-30 range, but he should be firmly on Phil Jackson’s radar in 2017.

Jones is a 6’4″ point guard with elite defensive potential and a developing offensive game. He’s made his name as one of Shaka Smart’s specialists in his vaunted Havoc Defense, which applies full-court defensive pressure to the opposition.

Jones’ willingness to defend, as well as his speed, lateral quickness, size, strength, and length, make him an appealing option for the defensively starved New York Knicks.

Offensively, Jones is still somewhat raw, but has the ability to knock down open shots when his feet are set. He’s shown improving vision as a facilitator, as well, and does a solid job of finishing and drawing contact when attempting to score in traffic.

Jones is a sleeper on the rise, but even if he remains in the 20-to-30 range, the Knicks should be aware of his availability and upside.