Golden State Warriors Rumors: Can Cameron Jones Make The Dubs 15-Man Roster?

The Golden State Warriors have signed Cameron Jones to a non-guaranteed contract recently, according to Chris Reichart of Upside Motor. Tthe question now becomes can he make the Dubs out of training camp?

Cameron Jones will attend training camp with the Golden State Warriors, a league source tells U&M

— Chris Reichert (@Chris_Reichert) August 19, 2016

Brian Schroeder of Fansided reports that Jones is an excellent scorer, who possesses good size and length for a shooting guard. The 6-foot-4, 185-pounder is a spot-up shooter who can knock down a three-pointer or two a game. He is also a good free-throw shooter, and defensively, he is capable of guarding three positions.

Jones went undrafted out of Northern Arizona in 2011. The 27-year-old has spent the majority of his professional career in the D-League though he spent the 2014-15 season in Russia. Jones then started last season with Ironi Nes Zioni of the Israeli League before moving onto Sefa Arkadikos of the Greek HEBA 1 league. He averaged 11.0 points, 3.2 rebounds along with 2.7 assists while shooting 42.0 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc overall in 2015-16.

Before going overseas, Jones spent a total of three years in the D-League with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2011-12) and Santa Cruz Warriors (2012-14). He was named to the D-League All-Rookie First Team (2012), Most Improved Player (2013) and Honorable Mention All-League (2014).

While Jones has not played in an NBA game, he was on the roster of Miami Heat for a couple of days during the 2011 season. He also has played in the Summer League for Golden State (2013-14) and Orlando (2014-15). Also, he appeared in three games during training camp for the Warriors in 2013-14.

With Jones’ signing, the Warriors have 18 players under contract. Golden State will likely enter training camp with 14 of the spots on the 15-man roster already taken. That will likely leave Jones to battle Elliot Williams, JaVale McGee and Phil Pressey for the team’s final roster spot as all four have non-guaranteed contracts.

The Warriors could use more depth at shooting guard and small forward, so Jones has a legitimate shot at making the club. For Jones to make the team, he needs to prove he can score with the reserve unit, on a consistent basis, and defend. However, he may have the greatest obstacle to overcome of any of the four players.

Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant are the starters at shooting guard and small forward, respectively. Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston will be the first backcourt players off the bench. The Warriors also have Ian Clark and second-round draft pick Pat McCaw ahead of him on the depth chart at shooting guard.

Clark and McCaw are seen as scorers as well. Clark hasn’t proven himself, and he is on a one-year deal. Clark averaged a career-high 3.6 points, on a career-best 44.1 percent shooting from the floor as well as 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, over 8.8 minutes of action in 66 games for the Warriors. McCaw, who the Dubs selected with the No. 38 overall selection after trading up with Milwaukee, is scheduled to make just $543,471 this year though his salary jumps to $905,249 next season.

Williams might have the best chance, of the perimeter players, to make the squad. Shams Charania of The Vertical tweeted that Williams’ deal is for one-year for the veteran’s minimum with a strong partial guarantee. The 27-year-old can play both the point and off-guard positions, which also gives him even more of an advantage as the Dubs could use a third point guard.

Williams is known as a scorer and was named the 2015 D-League Finals MVP. The 2015-16 D-League scoring champion spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Santa Cruz Warriors and Panathinaikos (Greece) last season. He averaged 28.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the floor in 21 games with Santa Cruz. Williams has dealt with several injuries throughout his career.

Pressey is a pass-first point guard, who is not a threat shooting the ball. The 25-year-old is also a pesk on defense as he will pick-up pressure full court. He split time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Idaho Stampede a year ago. Pressey averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 assists 23 NBA games during the 2015-16 campaign.

McGee is an athletic rim protector, which gives him a chance to make the Dubs out of training camp. The 7-footer had an exceptional 34 game stint with the Dallas Mavericks in 2015-16, compiling 5.1 points, on 57.9 percent from the field, and 3.9 caroms in 10.9 minutes a game. McGee, 28, has only appeared in 60 games four times in his career.

Zaza Pachulia is the starter at center with Anderson Varajao, David West, and Draymond Green also likely seeing time there. The Warriors also have James McAdoo, Kevon Looney and Damian Jones who have the ability to play the five. Looney is still recovering from hip surgery, and Jones (pectoral) may not be available until January so that leaves the team with six healthy frontcourt players. Jones will likely spend most of the year in Santa Cruz.

[Photo by J. Pat Carter/AP Photo]