People did not anticipate the significant impact Derrick Jones Jr. would have on the The Dallas Mavericks when they signed him to a minimum contract last season. He had been out of the rotation a few times in Chicago, but he wanted to prove he could contribute to a winning team and saw a chance to play alongside Luka Doncic.
While Jason Kidd He wasn’t promised playing time when he signed, but Jones made an immediate impact with his athleticism. He usually defended the opposing team’s best player, displayed incredible dunking ability on offense and even made a career-best three-pointer. Playing with Doncic and Kyrie Irving helped make things easier for the high-flying player, increasing his value to the point where he signed a three-year, $30 million contract this offseason with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dallas will miss Jones’ contribution to the team, but he is not irreplaceable. His loss was greatly exaggerated by fans this summer.
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The first thing fans bring up when they talk about Jones is his role as the Mavs’ primary defender. Even though Jones was defending the opposition’s best player, the team’s defense was underwhelming before the trade deadline, ranking 22nd in the NBA’s defensive rating. After the trade deadline, PJ Washington And Daniel GaffordWith the exception of the last two games, the Mavs had the second-best defense in the league. These two players brought the toughness and physical power they needed to make the deep playoff run they did.
Jones has played a big role in the team’s new defensive identity, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander He still scored 32.2 points per game against the Mavs in the conference semifinals. The NBA is all about screening until the point guard gets the matchup he wants, especially since most defenses are now just setting screens. What matters, at least in Kidd’s defensive schemes, is the big men who anchor the defense.
Gafford and Derek Lively II Dallas has been able to count on a duo of extraordinary defenders and athleticism capable of staying on the perimeter when needed. Combined with a new attitude that came with the acquisition of PJ Washington, Dallas has a new identity.
The other talking point around Jones and the Mavs was his ability to finish lobs, especially in transition. It generated excitement every time Flight 55 took flight, but he finished with 62 dunks last season, less than one per game. It’s a niche stat that doesn’t have as much impact on the game as the highlight reel often suggests.
Replace Jones with Naji Marshall should be a perfect fit, especially since Marshall is a much better shooter, and Jones’ inconsistency from deep cost the Mavs in the Finals. If you exclude Games 5 and 6 of the series against OKC where he suddenly found a hot streak from deep, Jones’ 3-point percentage in the playoffs drops from 36.9% to 31.5%, and at times, it’s been worse than that. It’s a big reason why they brought in Klay Thompson to fill that starting job, and Marshall can make a big impact as a backup.
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