The Milwaukee Bucks bounced back with an emphatic Summer League win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Many players impressed, none more so than two-way guard Kam Jones, whose 11 points and nine assists showed the value he can bring to this Bucks team as a backup point guard.
Kam Jones is impressing in Summer League
As a 2025 second-round pick, it was somewhat surprising that the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls cut ties early with Jones despite the glimpses he has shown on the court. Through three Summer League games, he is averaging 10.7 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 46.2 percent from the field. It's a small sample size, but he is showing what he can bring to the Bucks.
With no Brayden Burries or Kasparas Jakucionis in action, Jones took on the point guard role and excelled as a facilitator, notching those nine assists. He had just two turnovers to his name. Giveaways can be a thorn for many young guards in their development, but he reduced the turnovers from his first Summer League game and showed growth.
Jakucionis is the lone true backup point guard on the roster, which might give Jones a path into the rotation should there be any injuries, opportunities, or trades.
Milwaukee has a track record of taking players from two-way deals to standard contracts, with A.J. Green, Ryan Rollins, and Pete Nance. Jones can follow suit, and as a low-risk, high-reward deal, there is no reason why he can't make an impact on this Bucks season.
Bucks backcourt logjam could get in his way
The main blockade for Jones' path into real rotational minutes is the backcourt logjam.
Currently, there are 17 standard contracts and eight guards on the roster following Gary Trent Jr.'s surprise extension. That is a lot of bodies for Jones to fight for his spot to break through.
Ryan Rollins is likely to be the starting guard, with Jakucionis and Kevin Porter Jr. as potential backups who could play at the two-guard. There is a way for Jones to find a role, but the Bucks just have so many bodies on the roster that it will be hard for him.
Jones' performances in Summer League are doing him a favor to catch the eye of new head coach Taylor Jenkins. There will be moves by the Bucks to get to the roster maximum of 15, and that may open the door for Jones to get minutes in the NBA. He can be a factor in the Bucks' season, but he will need to be patient for the opportunity to arise.
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