The Detroit Pistons claimed Isaac Jones after he was cut by the Sacramento Kings, who needed a roster spot for Precious Achiuwa.
It was a somewhat surprising move for the Pistons, though Tobias Harris is currently out with an ankle injury, so their already-shallow power forward depth is being tested.
Jones provides further depth at two positions and is an interesting player who might be worth a look. He went from an undrafted free agent to a two-way signing, to getting a full-time contact with the Kings, so he’s had to scrap his way into the league and has something to prove.
He has the physique to be a good defender, at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and though he didn’t play much for the Kings last season in 40 appearances, he impressed them enough to upgrade his contract.
Jones was great in the G-League, where he put up 21.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and over a block per game while shooting 58 percent from the floor. He didn’t shoot the 3-ball well, but Jones finds a way to get points and boards.
It’s unlikely we’ll see much of him for the Pistons, but it can’t be a vote of confidence for Bobi Klintman or Tolu Smith, who were probably hoping for some emergency duty themselves if needed.
And it’s not likely to last for a simple reason. Money.
Isaac Jones will be cut by January if not sooner
Isaac Jones is owed nearly two million this season, but that doesn’t become fully guaranteed until January.
If he was impressive and getting minutes, who knows, maybe he’ll do enough to keep his roster spot, but if he hasn’t played much, he’ll almost certainly be cut before that money becomes fully guaranteed.
There’s also still a chance the Pistons will want to add another free agent, maybe a shooter, perhaps someone they know well.
Even if the Beasley saga isn’t favorably resolved for him and/or the Pistons, Detroit will want the flexibility going into the trade deadline, so there is little chance Jones is still on the roster by the new year.
With Harris already ruled out of tonight’s game against the Nets, the Pistons will once again be shorthanded and go with Isaiah Stewart in the starting five, a move that has worked out so far.
If Harris has to miss extended time, we may see Jones at some point, but he won’t have long to prove himself, as the clock is already ticking on his time with the Pistons.