According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, free-agent forward, Derrick Jones Jr. has come to terms with the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year contract. The contract specifics have yet to be disclosed, but considering the Mavericks’ salary limit predicament, one may guess that the deal is for near the veteran minimum.
Free agent F/C Derrick Jones Jr. has agreed to a one-year fully guaranteed deal with the Dallas Mavericks, his agent Aaron Turner of @VerusTeam told @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/z2hPxLDIEn
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 9, 2023
Jones Jr. enters his sixth NBA season as a 6’6″ forward with a 7’0″ wingspan. He’s only 26 years old, despite appearing to have been around for a long time. Jones Jr. is a defensive-minded player with exceptional athleticism, and his addition to the roster fits with the Mavericks’ summer focus. They’re growing younger, more significantly athletic, and defensively capable.
Jones Jr. had previously been connected to the Mavericks. Fans may recall the controversial 2019 offseason Goran Dragic trade, in which a purported agreement between Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat fell through when the Heat refused to include Jones Jr. in the deal. Four years later, the Mavericks (as they frequently do) got their man.
Derrick Jones Jr.: A Mixed Offensive Bag, Yet a Promising Addition to the Maverick
Jones Jr.’s offense is mediocre at best. He’s the type of “3-and-D” player where the “three” is more of a concept than a reality. In 64 games with the Bulls last season, Jones Jr. averaged 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, shooting 50% from the field and 33.8% from three. That three-point percentage came despite only 1.3 attempts each game. Jones Jr. has a career three-point percentage of 30.4%. As a result, the offense is not his strong suit.
However, the Mavericks needed another viable wing, and Jones Jr. should be able to fill that role. He also serves as a small-ball center, which adds some variety to a squad that only needs medical fives. Jones Jr., at the very least, is another warm body who should benefit from playing with Luka Doncic. He’ll help to better defense and provide the occasional ridiculous highlight.
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