NBA Point Guard Tier List: Where Does Tre Jones Rank?

The San Antonio Spurs had the chance to chase after big-name free agents like Kyrie Irving and Fred VanVleet this summer, but their front office saved their cap space and made a short-term investment in Tre Jones instead. Though he will retain his title as starting point guard, the 23-year-old will have to prove he deserves to run the offense as the team enters the Victor Wembanyama era.

The Silver and Black are stacked with talent at almost every position, but Jones is in for the challenge of his life as he auditions for a long-term future as a starter against the greatest points guards across the NBA. With that in mind, where does the diminutive playmaker belong in the floor general heirarchy as the league prepares to kick off another 82-game regular season schedule?

Tier One: All-NBA Contenders

No one should be surprised that Tre Jones is nowhere to be found at the top of the basketball food chain. This tier is home to the best point guards on the planet, and each of these household names has a chance to take home All-NBA hardware at the end of the season.

1.) Luka Doncic
2.) Steph Curry
3.) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
4.) Ja Morant
5.) Damian Lillard
6.) Trae Young
7.) Kyrie Irving

Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, and Ja Morant are generational talents who have the skill to be the engine of a championship offense. The other superstars in this tier are also capable of carrying an immense scoring and playmaking load, which separates them from their peers.

Tier Two: Perennial All-Stars

Jones has a long road ahead if he wants to become a perennial All-Star candidate, and most players never reach this vaunted status. While none of these floor generals have drummed up much noise in recent MVP conversations, they can easily spearhead a potent offense.

8.) Tyrese Haliburton
9.) Jamal Murray
10.) De'Aaron Fox
11.) LaMelo Ball
12.) Darius Garland
13.) Jalen Brunson
14.) James Harden

This cluster of supremely talented facilitators has a handful of youngsters on the precipice of leaping into superstardom, and each of them has an impressive arsenal of tricks that make them must-watch basketball for diehard fans. Keep an eye on Tyrese Haliburton and LaMelo Ball.

Tier Three: All-Star Hopefuls

All these players could be perennial All-Stars in the right situation, but they have sacrificed shots and touches to be the second or third fiddle for franchises that already have a centerpiece. With relatively modest numbers, taking home year-end accolades hinges on team success.

15.) Jrue Holiday
16.) Dejounte Murray
17.) Fred VanVleet
18.) Chris Paul

Jones ranked among the league leaders in assists and steals last season, but his one-dimensionality for a lottery-bound ball club made him a longshot to earn All-Star consideration. Every point guard in this tier offers more on both ends of the court than the former second-rounder.

Tier Four: Up-and-Comers

All these young prospects have flashed considerable talent or have draft lottery pedigree attached to their names, and they are a breakout season away from hurdling into the next tier of point guards. The league is entranced by their upside, affording some room for error as they develop.

19.) Cade Cunningham
20.) Anfernee Simons
21.) Tyrese Maxey
22.) Scoot Henderson
23.) Jaden Ivey

Though Jones is around five months from celebrating his 24th birthday, he lacks the high-end upside that makes starlets like Cade Cunningham and Scoot Henderson untouchable in trade talks. He is the incumbent starter for the Spurs, but that won't stop them from looking for an upgrade.

Tier Five: Reliable Starters 

Tre almost snuck into this tier, but everyone here brings something to the dinner table that the fourth-year floor general doesn't have in his repertoire. Derrick White is an elite defender, Russell Westbrook can bend defenses with devastating drives, and D'Angelo Russell spaces the floor.

24.) Derrick White
25.) D’Angelo Russell
26.) Spencer Dinwiddie
27.) Collin Sexton
28.) Russell Westbrook
29.) Markelle Fultz
30.) Kevin Porter Jr.
31.) Gabe Vincent

While these point guards have next to nothing in common with one another, most teams would trust them with the keys to the offense. Aside from Westbrook, coaches can expect them to contribute to winning without dominating the basketball, and that is a valuable trait in the NBA.

Tier Six: Spot Starters

Seeing Tre Jones slip to the bottom of the tier list may not be the most encouraging thing Spurs fans have read this summer, but his ranking speaks more to the saturation of talent at point guard than his abilities. After all, he averaged 12.9 points and 6.6 assists in his first season as a starter.

32.) Tyus Jones
33.) Tre Jones
34.) Mike Conley
35.) Dennis Schroeder
36.) Monte Morris 
37.) Kyle Lowry

Though the Spurs could have let the Duke product walk in free agency, the front office re-signed him to a lucrative contract. Jones isn't the future of the franchise, and that's alright. He can be a priceless asset as a reliable stopgap who runs the show until San Antonio finds a long-term solution.