Nuggets Draft: Three prospects who could be the next Herb Jones

How did the NBA let Herb Jones slip to the second round in last year’s draft? Jones won SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year during his senior year at Alabama. He was a Third Team All-American selection and averaged 11.2 points and 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

Looking back at his college box scores, NBA evaluators straight up dropped the ball. Jones had 5 steals and 2 blocks and shot 7-9 from the field for 19 points in a win over Auburn. He had 4 steals and 3 blocks to go with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists in a narrow win over Mississippi State. In an SEC tournament victory over LSU, Jones had 4 blocks, plus 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. He was the only player in a high-major conference to record a block percentage above 4%, a steal percentage above 3% and an assist percentage above 20% percent during his senior year.

It was the classic example of NBA scouting overthinking a prospect like Jones. He didn’t flash much of a 3-point shot in college — he shot 35% on only 57 total attempts his senior year after establishing himself as a non-shooter during his first three college seasons — plus he was old. Jones played his rookie season at 23. But how did no one, especially on a win-now team look at Jones and think, ‘Why wouldn’t we want to bring the most versatile and accomplished defensive player in the country who measured at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan into our building?’

Every team will be looking for the next Herb Jones in this year’s draft, including the Nuggets. Jones is the exact type of prospect Denver should be trying to add to their organization on June 23: a high-level, rangy, long defender who can contribute on Day 1.

Here are three prospects that could fit the mold.

Tari Eason: Forward | 6-8, 7-2 wingspan | Age: 21 | Sophomore | LSU

Projection: Mid 1st Round

2021-22 stats: 16.9 points (52.1 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 80.3 FT%), 6.6 rebounds (2.3 offensive rebounds), 1 assist, 1.8 steals, 1.2 blocks in 24.4 minutes per game

NBA Comparison: Herb Jones

Eason is the easiest Jones comp in the draft. It’s almost too easy. Like it shouldn’t be this season.

His combine measurements were impressive. Eason’s 3/4 of an inch taller than Jones and has a two-inch longer wingspan. His 8-11 1/2 standing reach beats Jones by 1 1/2 inches. Eason measured the largest hand width at the combine (11 inches), and his 8-11 1/2 standing reach also beats Jones’ by 1 1/2 inches.

The sophomore out of LSU is long, fast, athletic, and a high-upside defensive wing, which is exactly the mold of player the Nuggets should be looking to select in the first round. He had an insane 4.5 STL% and 6.2 BLK% last season — it blows the 3.4 STL% and 4.0 BLK% Jones had at Alabama his senior year out of the water — and the tape doesn’t lie.

Eason blocks both drivers at the rim and jump-shooters beyond the 3-point line. He chases down opponents on the break and uses his strong and quick hands to manufacture steals. With his length, Eason can come out of nowhere to intercept a pass or double-team the ball and create a turnover. He moves well from side to side when guarding the ball 1-on-1.

Offensively, he’s an above-the-rim athlete who looks to dunk everything and should be a beast in transition. Eason got to the line a ton in college — 9.3 free-throw attempts per 40 minutes — and he shot 80% from the stripe last season. Scottie Pippen Jr. led the NCAA at 10.1 free-throw attempts per 40 minutes.

Eason has the makings of a solid catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter but was still hesitant at times to fire from distance as a sophomore. He improved from 24.1% to 35.9% (28-78) 3-point shooting from his freshman to sophomore year. His free-throw percentage bodes well for how he’ll progress as a shooter too. Eason’s still raw but is really intriguing, mostly because of how similar his profile is to Jones’

The most notable difference between the two? Eason just turned 21 and spent two years in college coming off the bench. Jones played his rookie season at 23 and was a three-year starter. I don’t know if you can expect Eason to have as big of an impact from day 1 as Jones did in New Orleans.

Jalen Williams | Forward | 6-6, 7-2 wingspan | Age: 21 | Junior | Santa Clara

Projection: Mid 1st Round

2021-22 stats: 18 points (51.3 FG%, 39.6 3P%, 80.9 FT%), 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks in 34.8 minutes per game

NBA Comparison: Jeff Green

Williams doesn’t enter the draft with the All-Defense potential of Eason, but you can slot him into the category of “two-way wing.” Offensively, he has a mature floor game. Williams plays under control and smoothly operates out of the pick-and-roll. He’s a really good passer with great vision and has a point-forward’s feel. He can shoot off the dribble, DHO, and especially off the catch — he made 44.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s as a junior –and projects as a knockdown guy from distance. As a 1-on-1 scorer, Williams has a ton of shake to his game. He can cross his guy up, spin around his defender and get to the rim. He just knows how to play.

Williams’s defense is behind his offense, but he has all the tools to be a really good defender. He’s a high IQ player and knows how to read the game on both ends. His wingspan and size will help him a ton as well. He’ll enter the league with an NBA-ready body too and is strong enough to play as a rookie. Williams also packs some sneaky athleticism and can send back shots at the rim. I bet he’s eventually an above-average wing defender.

Julian Champagnie | Forward | 6-8, 6-10 wingspan | Age: 21 | Junior | St. John’s

Projection: 2nd Round

2021-22 stats: 19.2 points (41.4 FG%, 33.7 3P%, 78.1 FT%), 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.1 blocks in 34.2 minutes per game

NBA Comparison: Kenrich Williams

Champagnie, who’s older brother is on the Raptors, played three years at St. John’s and started 81 of 88 games. He’s not nearly as athletic as Jones and I wouldn’t say he’s quite the defender either, but Champagnie has a similar level of high-level college experience.

His defense looks NBA-ready. Champagnie will come into the league with a strong frame and body that was tested a lot in college. Individually, he’s always getting low into a stance and moves side to side extremely well. He does a good job of contesting every shot and gets a ton of strips and steals thanks to his quick hands. Champagnie had a 3.1 STL% and 3.5 BLK% last season at St. John’s. It doesn’t come near Eason’s block and steal rate from last year, but it’s very close to Jones’ from his senior year (3.4 STL% and 4.0 BLK%).

Offensively, Champagnie is a willing shooter from 3 but wasn’t consistent in college. He shot 38% from 3 as a sophomore on 6.3 attempts from distance but then 33.7% on 6.2 attempts as a junior. He looks confident in his jumper though and the 81.5% he shot from the free-throw line in college makes me believe he’ll be a good shooter at the next level. Champagnie also has a smooth pull-up game and good looking mid-range game. He’s not an A+ athlete, but can still explode and finish at the rim.

Another piece to Champagnie offensive game that stands out is his cutting. Champagnie reads the floor well. He looks to me like he could be a high IQ connecting role player on a good team. He times his backdoor and off-ball cuts well. Around the rim, he uses his strength to his advantage.