Was the Pacers’ second round pick naughty or nice? Reviewing Kam Jones as a draft pick for Indiana in 2025

Was the Pacers’ Second-Round Pick Naughty or Nice? Reviewing Kam Jones as a 2025 Draft Selection for Indiana

The Indiana Pacers entered the 2025 NBA Draft in a unique position. After a remarkable 2024-25 season that culminated in an NBA Finals appearance (falling in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder), the team traded away their original first-round pick (No. 23) to the New Orleans Pelicans to reclaim their own 2026 first-rounder. This move was influenced by Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating Achilles tear in Game 7, which sidelined their All-Star point guard for the entire 2025-26 season. With cap constraints and a win-now core, the Pacers aggressively traded up in the second round, acquiring the No. 38 pick from the San Antonio Spurs (in exchange for a future second and cash) while retaining their original No. 54 selection.

Their primary second-round addition—and the one generating the most buzz—was Kam Jones, the polished combo guard from Marquette University, selected at No. 38. (They also took shooter Taelon Peter at No. 54, but Jones was the targeted “fringe first-round talent” at a second-round cost.) The question posed in this holiday-season review: Was this pick naughty (a misstep that could haunt the franchise) or nice (a savvy addition that fits beautifully)?

In short: Nice. Very nice. Jones addresses immediate needs, brings NBA-ready skills to a contender reeling from injury, and offers a high floor with intriguing upside in Indiana’s fast-paced, motion-heavy offense. While not without risks—primarily his age, athletic limitations, and early rookie struggles—the selection has been widely praised as one of the draft’s strongest value picks. Let’s break it down comprehensively.

Draft Context and Fit with the Pacers

The Pacers’ 2024-25 run was defined by elite pace (top-5 in the league), unselfish ball movement, and prolific three-point volume. Haliburton orchestrated it all, but his absence created a void at lead guard. Backup options like Andrew Nembhard are solid, but depth was thin. Enter Jones: a 6’4″, 200-pound left-handed guard who thrived as Marquette’s primary creator in his senior year after Tyler Kolek’s departure to the pros.

Indiana’s front office, led by Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan, has a track record of second-round gems (e.g., recent successes like Bennedict Mathurin indirectly through trades, or developmental hits). Trading up for Jones signaled intent: get a contributor now, not a project. At a second-round slot, he came cheaper than a first-rounder (roughly one-third the salary of the No. 23 pick), preserving flexibility around stars like Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner.

Jones fits Rick Carlisle’s system like a glove. The Pacers love versatile guards who can handle, score off movement, and make quick reads in pick-and-roll. Jones averaged 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in his final college season, showcasing exactly that.

Player Profile: Strengths and College Production

Kameron “Kam” Jones (born February 25, 2002) was a four-year standout at Marquette, evolving from role player to Consensus Second-Team All-American. His progression:

• Freshman (2021-22): Big East All-Rookie, 7.4 PPG off the bench.
• Sophomore (2022-23): Starter, 15.1 PPG, All-Big East Second Team, 36% from three.
• Junior (2023-24): 17.2 PPG, improved playmaking.
• Senior (2024-25): Breakout—19.2 PPG on 48.3% FG, 5.9 APG (vs. 1.9 TO), 4.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG. Shot 31.1% from three but with high volume; career FT% hovered around 67%.

Strengths:

• Scoring Versatility: Three-level threat. Excels in mid-range pull-ups, floaters, and crafty finishes at the rim (euro-steps, reverses). Uses footwork, hesitations, and physicality to compensate for average burst.
• Playmaking Growth: Massive leap as a passer. Selfless, high-IQ reads in P&R; splits traps effectively. 3:1 A:TO ratio as senior.
• Shot Creation: Deep bag—crossovers, spins, side-steps. Creates for self/teammates off dribble.
• Experience and Poise: 23 years old at draft, battle-tested in Big East and NCAA Tournament (Marquette reached Sweet 16 multiple times).
• Intangibles: Boxer background adds toughness; high basketball IQ.

Scouts compared him to Malik Monk: microwave scoring off bench, combo-guard flexibility. NBA.com projected him as a “sixth-man role easily” due to skillset fluidity.

Measurables (2025 Combine): 6’3.25″ barefoot, 202 lbs, 6’6″ wingspan, adequate for backcourt defense.

Weaknesses and Concerns

No pick is perfect, especially in the second round.

• Athleticism: Below-the-rim player. Limited vertical explosiveness (31.5″ max vertical) and burst; struggles separating vs. longer NBA defenders. Many college finishes may not translate.
• Shooting Inconsistency: Senior three-point dip (31%) raised flags, especially with poor FT% (predictor of future 3PT success). Pull-up jumper regressed.
• Defense: Effort-based but not elite laterally. Can guard 1-2 but projects as average at best.
• Age/Upside: Older rookie (23+), limited ceiling compared to teens. More “high floor, low ceiling” than star potential.
• Early NBA Adjustment: Through December 2025, Jones has shown flashes but struggled with efficiency in limited minutes (spotty shooting, turnovers in transition). Pacers are 6-24 early in 2025-26, partly due to Haliburton absence and integration issues.

One off-court note: A traffic-stop arrest early in his rookie year drew headlines, raising character questions temporarily. Details were minor, resolved quickly, but it briefly put him on the “naughty” radar for optics.

Post-Draft Performance and Grade So Far

As of December 26, 2025 (about halfway through his rookie season), Jones has appeared in spot minutes, often in G League stints for development. Highlights: Efficient scoring bursts, smart passes fitting Indiana’s motion offense. Lowlights: Shooting slumps, adjustment to NBA speed.

Draft grades at the time were glowing:

• ESPN: A (favorite second-rounder two years running).
• Bleacher Report: High value, compared to Monk.
• CBS/Yahoo: A/B range, “destined to make Indiana look smart.”
• Reddit/Pacers fans: Overwhelmingly positive (“Amazing pick,” “Perfect fit”).

Recent retrospective (e.g., Bleacher Report mid-season rookie grades): Pacers class D+ overall due to team struggles and Jones’ slow start—but analysts note potential turnaround in up-tempo system.

Naughty or Nice Verdict: Decidedly Nice

Kam Jones was a nice pick—perhaps one of the nicest second-round values in 2025. He wasn’t a reach; many mocks had him late first/early second. The Pacers proactively addressed a glaring need (guard depth post-Haliburton injury) with a ready-made contributor. His polish ensures a role, whether as backup facilitator, bench scorer, or spot starter.

The “naughty” elements—age, athletic caps, early struggles, minor off-court blip—are outweighed by fit and production potential. In a draft class heavy on upside gambles, Jones is the reliable gift: not the flashiest, but one you’ll use often.

If he refines his jumper and thrives in Carlisle’s scheme (catch-and-shoot opportunities galore), he could be a long-term rotation staple. Santa would approve: coal avoided, stocking stuffed with a contributor for a contender.