Kings trade for second round steal in Colby Jones – Initial reaction
By Logan Struck
After a surprising trade that sent the 24th overall pick and Richaun Holmes to the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings are active on the trade block again.
The Sacramento Kings have acquired the 34th pick from the Boston Celtics and drafted Colby Jones.
In exchange for the 34th overall pick, the Sacramento Kings gave the Celtics the 38th overall pick and a future second-rounder. This trade moved the Kings up just four spots, but they were able to select an absolute steal in Colby Jones out of Xavier University.
Sacramento has traded into No. 34 for Colby Jones, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2023
Colby Jones is a stud of a prospect. The SG/SF was on our draft board for the Kings to look at with the 24th overall, so being able to take him ten picks later is a great value. The 6’5″ all-around player is NBA-ready, with all the right tools to become an elite two-way presence.
The Swiss-army knife has the work ethic that Sacramento is looking for, as well as an impressive jump shot and playmaking ability.
In his breakout junior season, Jones averaged 15.0 points, 4.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game with 51/38/65 shooting splits. While there is room for improvement from beyond the arc and free-throw line, the rest of his game makes up for it.
Colby Jones is a stone-cold killer. The guard out of the Big East had many clutch moments throughout the season, including multiple in the NCAA tournament while leading the Xavier Musketeers to a Sweet 16 appearance. He has improved greatly from season to season, as his junior year shows how his work has been paying off.
While the Sacramento Kings could have gotten an impressive prospect with the 38th pick, as there were still many left on the board, Monte McNair had his Colby Jones vision that led to this trade. Colby Jones fills the Terence Davis role from last season, as he is expected to leave in free agency.
After the first Kings trade made tonight, Monte McNair is improving the roster for next season, as we now look forward to what moves Sacramento will make in free agency, expecting to sign a wing or bring back Harrison Barnes and Trey Lyles.
