Colby

Jones

With 2024 first-round pick Devin Carter (shoulder) sidelined, Jones, the Kings’ first-round pick in 2023, is one of the team’s focal points in summer league. Twelve of his 21 shot attempts came from beyond the arc on Monday, and a catch-and-shoot role could be what awaits Jones once the season begins. With De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan all being capable playmakers, a reserve like Jones will be most valuable if he can defend his position and hit open shots. He isn’t a must-draft player right now, but Carter’s shoulder injury (he’ll miss at least six months) may open up opportunities for Jones after failing to crack the rotation last season.

After playing sparingly as a rookie, Jones is looking to move up in the Kings’ pecking order on the wing in 2024-25. While Sacramento acquired DeMar DeRozan on Saturday, Harrison Barnes and Chris Duarte headed out in that trade, which could free up a few minutes for someone. While Jones didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, he was responsible for five assists (tied for team-high with Mason Jones). Colby isn’t a player fantasy managers should plan on drafting, but he’s worth tracking throughout the Kings’ games in northern California and Las Vegas.

Monk’s status is of far greater importance to the Kings and fantasy managers, as he is one of the league’s top sixth men. As for Jones, the rookie out of Xavier isn’t in the rotation on most nights and that’s unlikely to change on Monday.

The second-round pick out of Xavier hasn’t been in the rotation when healthy, so his absence will not impact fantasy basketball.

Jones came into this game as questionable, but he has been cleared to suit up. However, he hasn’t seen many minutes this season. With the guys ahead of him healthy, there is a decent chance that he doesn’t play in this game, even though he is active.

Jones hasn’t been in the Kings rotation this season, most recently picking up a DNP-CD in Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans. His potential absence won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Davion Mitchell has started each of the last three games for Sacramento in Fox’s absence, averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 boards, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.7 triples along the way. “Off Night” will remain in the streaming conversation for as long as Fox is out, with Colby Jones seeing some extra minutes too.

Mitchell will be the starting point for the foreseeable future in Sacramento, with Fox expected to miss “some time”. The rookie Colby Jones will also get an opportunity behind Mitchell, according to Brown. Mitchell has averaged 15.2 points and 6.3 assists per game as a starter in his career, though he wasn’t great when he got the opportunity last season.

While Jones has seen action throughout the preseason, Thursday’s game was the first in which he had a tangible impact on the action. The rookie out of Xavier shot 5-of-8 from three while finishing one blocked shot away from a full stat line. However, Jones may see just as much playing time with the Kings’ G League affiliate as he will with the big club this season. Kevin Huerter (8/5/3 with two 3-pointers) and Chris Duarte are competing to be the fifth starter, but the latter did not play on Thursday. The presence of Huerter and Duarte makes it difficult to envision Jones becoming a viable fantasy option this season.

Jones is on a guaranteed deal for the next two seasons, so his roster spot is pretty much secure. And he showed why the Kings are so high on him in Monday’s defeat, producing a complete stat line as he contributed on both ends of the floor. Jones should have every opportunity to earn a place in the rotation once training camp begins, but the Kings’ depth on the wings will make it difficult for the rookie to provide quality fantasy value.