Jones details major changes that have led to a potential Kings roster spot

Jones details major changes leading to potential Kings roster spot originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SACRAMENTO – When Mason Jones chose to play in Europe last year, it wasn’t a move he really wanted to make. In retrospect, it was one he now realizes he needed.

“I just feel like that was one of the points where I really had to understand who I was as a person,” Jones said Thursday. “Looking back on it, it was probably one of the best things I needed as a person at the time. Was it a decision that I really thought was right? No. But it was the right thing that God thought I needed.

“You hear the quotes all the time: ‘One year can change your life.’ I am just that example of God showing me that one year can change your life. I’m just grateful and blessed.”

Jones has come a long way from where he was a year ago, and not just in terms of mileage.

His game has clearly improved, as has his body. After being acquired in a three-team trade last December, Jones spent time with the Kings’ G League affiliate in Stockton before being rewarded with a two-way contract in February.

After earning second-team All-G League honors while helping Stockton to a 20-3 record with him in the lineup, Jones attacked his conditioning and lost 45 pounds by the time Summer League started.

Now he’s looking to carry all that positive momentum into the 2024-25 season in Sacramento.

“He’s starting to understand what his strengths are and how to better hide his weaknesses,” Kings coach Mike Brown said.

Jones has a chance to become one of the Kings’ top reserves and also be a key contributor off the bench.

The 26-year-old is on the fringes of the roster but has been taking reps on the second unit while Jordan McLaughlin nurses a Grade 2 ankle sprain. McLaughlin signed with the Kings in July after five seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Coach Brown continues to trust me, but I know this is a daily grind,” Jones said. “Every time (McLaughlin) comes back, I’ll just have to take it day by day. At this point I don’t consider it a thing. We never know what will happen tomorrow.”

Training camp is important for so many reasons, but for two-way players like Jones, it’s even more important. A bad day can mean the end of the journey, while a good day can push players to bigger and better things.

“These guys need to understand, and I think they do, how precious these moments are to them,” Brown said. “It could get you from a two-way guy or an exhibition 10 guy or a guy not in the rotation, you could get there quickly. It will probably take some extra work and concentration and trying to find your niche

“This is just the beginning for them. They need to make sure they embrace it as much as possible and try to take advantage of it.”

Jones is trying to do just that while also tightening up his overall game.

“The biggest change for me was my discipline, my consistency and my mentality,” Jones said. “Putting those three together and continuing to build each stepping stone at each level. That’s what I do now.

“Just knowing that my disciple and my maturity level got me here, but my consistency will continue to build me up and, over years and years, continue to evolve.”

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