Pistons found another keeper in the G-League

Detroit Pistons’ two-way forward Isaac Jones has been impressive in the G-League this year and is getting recognition, winning the G-League player of the month for March. 

And what a March it was for Jones, who averaged nearly 30 points and over 10 rebounds per game for the month while shooting 69 percent from the floor. 

Jones is an interesting player, as he has logged NBA minutes with both the Kings and Pistons, and even though he is now on a two-way, Detroit has shown enough interest to think he could be on the roster one day. 

The Pistons did right by Isaac Jones 

The Pistons could have cut Jones back in January before his salary became fully guaranteed, but chose not to, which was a baffling decision at the time. 

They ended up needing his roster spot for Daniss Jenkins, so Jones was then demoted to a two-way contract, but still got paid like an NBA player, which is something the Pistons did not have to do. 

And I don’t think they would have if there weren’t some interest there, so this could have been a wink-wink move by the Pistons and Jones with the intent of bringing him back next season. 

It was a savvy move, as players talk, and the Pistons want to be known as an organization that takes care of its guys and one where developmental projects can go to flourish, as has happened this season with Daniss Jenkins and Tolu Smith.

With plenty of roster shuffling potentially coming this summer, Jones may end up with a chance to make the real team next season. 

The Pistons need depth at power forward 

The Pistons only have one real power forward on their roster currently, Tobias Harris, who is on an expiring deal and may not be back next season. 

Even if Harris does return, the Pistons will be looking for additional depth and size at the position, and Jones has shown he can hang, at least in the G-League, where he has dominated all season. 

He’s averaging an impressive stat line of 22 points, nine rebounds, 2.6 assists, a steal and just under two blocks per game in the G-League this season while shooting 61.6 percent from the field. 

Jones has started taking 3-point shots, though he’s not hitting many of them, but it’s something he could eventually have in his arsenal. 

Jones is a big, rangy player at 6-foot-8, 245 lbs. with a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan. He’s got a weird game, but it’s effective around the rim, so there’s a chance we’ll see him in Detroit next season, especially if he continues to defend at a high level. 

With Tolu Smith also looking like an NBA player, and Jenkins already part of the rotation, the Pistons are finally starting to get some value out of their G-League system, something that was a complete failure in for the previous front office.