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NBA Mock Draft Pick #29 -- Damian Jones, Power Forward, Vanderbilt
SBNation's San Antonio Spurs blog, Pounding the Rock, explains their pick:
Over the course of his career with the Spurs, Damian Jones' had struggles with an inconsistent motor and feel for the game, which could get him in Pop's doghouse as a rookie.This low in the draft, however, his upside is just too high to pass up. Seven-footers with his mobility and explosiveness are rare and while he didn't improve much in his junior year, his game might be better-suited for the NBA, where he will be asked to just be a finisher on offense.
The Spurs need to get young and more athletic in the front court and Jones helps there. If the developmental staff can get him to improve his free throw shooting and his defensive awareness gets a little better, he could be a steal.
Ridiculous Upside: The Spurs history of making great selections would continue if they pick Damian Jones. While there are concerns about his motor and basketball IQ, he definitely has a lot of upside. That is due to his athleticism, aggression and developing offensive skill set.
1) Philadelphia 76ers: BEN SIMMONS
2) Los Angeles Lakers: BRANDON INGRAM
3) Phoenix Suns (From Boston): DRAGAN BENDER
4) Utah Jazz (From Phoenix): JAMAL MURRAY
5) Denver Nuggets (from Minnesota) : BUDDY HIELD
6) New Orleans Pelicans: KRIS DUNN
7) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver): DENZEL VALENTINE
8) Sacramento Kings: JAYLEN BROWN
9) Toronto Raptors: MARQUESE CHRISS
10) Milwaukee Bucks: DEYONTA DAVIS
11) Sacramento Kings (From Orlando): TIMOTHE LUWAWU
12) Utah Jazz: JAKOB POELTL
13) Denver Nuggets (from Phoenix): SKAL LABISSIERE
14) Chicago Bulls: WADE BALDWIN
15) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver): HENRY ELLENSON
16) Boston Celtics: DOMANTAS SABONIS
17) Utah Jazz (from Memphis) : FURKAN KORKMAZ
18) New Orleans Pelicans (from Detroit) : TAUREAN PRINCE
19) Phoenix Suns (from Denver): CHEICK DIALLO
20) Indiana Pacers: JUAN HERNANGOMEZ
21) Atlanta Hawks: DEMETRIUS JACKSON
22) Charlotte Hornets: ANTE ZIZIC
23) Detroit Pistons (from Utah): TYLER ULIS
24) Philadelphia 76ers: DEANDRE BEMBRY
25) Phoenix Suns (from Clippers): GARY PAYTON JR
26) Philadelphia 76ers: ISAIA CORDINIER
27) Toronto Raptors: BRICE JOHNSON
28) Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah Jazz) : IVICA ZUBAC
29) San Antonio Spurs: DAMIAN JONES
30) Golden State Warriors: