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NBA Drafts' Second-Coming of Matisse Thybulle is Exactly What the Blazers Need

The Blazers' window to win is quickly closing. This much we know. We can keep waiting to hit on a hidden gem in free agency. However, realistically, the best option is to lock down a young prospect who can contribute early on a modest contract. Enter Alabama forward, Herb Jones.

Jones perfect player comparison is Thybulle. Scouts raved about Thybulles' defensive IQ, instincts, and playmaking ability when he came out of Washington. Jones has gotten similar praise from some of the drafts' most prominent analysts. The Athletics' John Hollinger ranked Jones as his 23rd overall prospect in his most recent big board.

"At 6-foot-8 with good feet, piliferous hands and a knack for drawing charges, Jones might be the best perimeter defender in this draft aside from [Florida State forward Scottie] Barnes. As with Barnes, [Jones] size and dexterity make him a true defensive chameleon. Jones is capable of checking the other team’s point guard but also line up as a small-ball five in the right matchup."

That breakdown should be music to the Blazers' ears. While he is more than capable of sliding into a wing spot, when the game goes small in the playoffs, Portland can turn to an athletic and active option as opposed to Enes Kanter. His lightning-quick movements on the perimeter and strong contests at the rim are scattered throughout his tape during his three years with the Crimson Tide.

Jones Struggles

With the stellar defense comes the downside, however. Like Thybulle, Jones struggles offensively. While his 11.2 points per game is solid for a low usage forward, his perimeter shooting is a concern. He shot just 35% last year from three on a measly 1.7 attempts per game. In a league where the three-ball is of increasing importance, that mark is concerning. The good news: Jones made more threes last season (20) than he did in his first three seasons combined (14). The bad news: 20 threes is extremely little to go off of when gauging his offensive ceiling. His shot is what scouts like to call "buyable" at the next level, but his lack of production is a legit concern.

The Blazers issue has never been the offense. The defense always fails them in the playoffs, as the backcourt of McCollum and Lillard is too much of a liability for the rest of the team to compensate for. The Suns have laid the groundwork for what needs to happen if your franchise cornerstones are two guards. You must have an endless supply of 3 and D wings. Bridges, Crowder, Johnson, and Craig are all swarming defensively, helping to compensate for the lack of defense provided by CP3 and Booker. It also means teams can't target any one Phoenix player specifically like teams love to do with Kanter when facing Portland.

While the Blazers don't currently have the draft compensation to get Jones, a late first-round projection may allow the Blazers to reshuffle the roster to potentially get the defensive savant from Alabama. His versatility defensively would give Billups a lot of flexibility. Jones could play the 3/4 alongside Covington or could be a small-ball five in a lineup with Lillard-McCollum-Powell-Covington.