While Perry Jones III's stock has been slipping in the past few weeks, from a consensus top-5 pick before the season began to possibly all the way down to the Orlando Magic at No. 19, senior director of NBA scouting operations Ryan Blake doesn't think the Dallas Mavericks will have the chance to take the Duncanville native.
In a conversation with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Blake emphasized the unique things Jones can give a team at 6'11 235:
"You can't find someone like him in this draft," Blake said of Jones. "You've got someone who's 6-11 and can spread the floor.
"His versatility really is his main weapon. He has that elite professional athleticism in terms of foot speed, leaping ability, can score from all spots on the floor, ability to be a great rebounder, and he should be a better shot blocker and I think he will be."
While Jones production didn't take the leap in his sophomore season at Baylor, a lot of that had to do with the quality of the team around him. He had to create most of his own offense, as the Bears guards couldn't get a 6'11 235 forward with a 35'+ max vertical easy baskets!
In contrast, likely No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis lived off dump-offs and alley-oops from Kentucky's perimeter players, as he was given very little offensive responsibility by the Wildcats coaching staff.
The gap in talent between the two players isn't all that great, and if they had switched college programs, I have a feeling they would be viewed very differently.
For more coverage on Baylor's NBA draft prospects, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream and Our Daily Bears.