Perry Jones is Trapped Behind Too Much Depth

When he initially joined the Boston Celtics, Perry Jones had slim chances of making the opening day roster. However, things have started shifting in his favour as he appears to be battling Evan Turner for the final roster spot. Unfortunately, even if he claims the final spot, he may never see significant game time.

Perry Jones comes in at 6’11 and 235 pounds and that may be the only thing working in his favour. He certainly has the physical attributes to be a power forward but a great deal of his time spent in Oklahoma City was at the small forward position. If Jones can be a small forward for the Celtics he has a much better chance at playing.

The problem is that the Celtics play a lot of small ball and having a 6’11 small forward may not fit in well enough. Another problem is that the small forward position is crucial on the defensive end for the Celtics. Jae Crowder will be assigned with guarding an opposing team’s best player and there is slim to no chance that Jones is ready to man up against some of the better players in the league.

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) controls the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

An even bigger problem for Jones is that the man he is battling for a roster spot, Evan Turner, is a much better fit as the backup small forward. Turner has more accommodating size and he is significantly better on the defensive end.

Even if Jones becomes a full time small forward he will need too much time to become a steady contributor for the Celtics at that position. Jones may get select minutes at the position but Brad Stevens will not be able to afford to have him on the court for extending periods of time. The Celtics need to improve on the defensive end and that simply will not happen with Jones at the small forward position.

Jones has had back to back seasons with a total rebounding percentage under 10% and has never had a positive defensive box plus minus. The Celtics are thin at the small forward position but there still remains too many better options ahead of Jones.

Jones would certainly fit in better at the power forward position. The Celtics often like to go smaller at the power forward position but they have always integrated power forwards who are taller than 6’10.

The only problem is that Jones will have an even more difficult time finding minutes at the power forward position. While he only has to deal with Jae Crowder and potentially Evan Turner ahead of him at the small forward position, he has to deal with Amir Johnson, David Lee, Jordan Mickey, Jared Sullinger and Jonas Jerebko ahead of him at the power forward position.

Apr 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) gestures while watching game action against Toronto Raptors with team mates (from left) Jared Sullinger, Phil Pressley and Jonas Jerebko on the bench at Air Canada Centre. The Celtics won 117-116 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

It is almost impossible to imagine Jones bringing something that the Celtics cannot already got from another power forward. Sullinger, Jerebko and potentially Johnson will bring the three point shooting. Johnson and Lee will bring the mid range game and Mickey will have the best defensive impact.

Brad Stevens does a great job of distributing minutes but there simply won’t be enough to go around for Jones. If he manages to impress enough to surpass those ahead of him he may get an opportunity but he will need to be significantly improved from his time with the Thunder.

Last season, in limited opportunities, Jones connected on just 14 of his 60 three point attempts. He was a poor rebounder, a poor blocker and saw a career high in turnovers.

Jones is young and has a lot of raw talent but he has a long ways to go before he can be a rotation player. The Celtics are a great place for young players to develop but if he does not improve significantly then there will not be enough minutes for him.

Power forward is the position where the Celtics have arguably their best depth and Jones will need multiple players to either get hurt or have a significant drop off in play to get minutes.

Jones still may not even have a roster spot but if he earns it, it is with the future in mind. Jones is no where near ready to be a difference maker for the Celtics but they can stash him away and allow him to develop before he is unleashed.

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