One major player needs a new deal after the Dallas Mavericks were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in 2024. Derrick Jones Jr. was that player, and he became the Mavs’ X-factor during the 2024 Playoffs.
Jones Jr. led Dallas into all 22 games of the 2024 Playoffs, scoring 9.1 points per game. He also contributed stellar defense, recording one block per game.
Sadly for Mavs supporters, Jones Jr. signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the LA Clippers during free agency and left the franchise. Jones Jr. explained his departure from the Mavericks to the Clippers less than two weeks after he signed with them.
In free agency, Derrick Jones Jr. explains why he chose the Clippers over the Mavericks.
When Jones Jr. spoke with the Clippers organization, their strategy for how he would mesh with the team might have seemed more suited to Jones Jr.’s skill set.
“The route they [were] wanting to go to was towards me and having me come in and fill in that 3-4 role,” Jones, Jr. added. “And, be aggressive offensively and be who I am defensively.”
The Mavs will be hurt by Jones Jr.’s departure, but it was a strange move for Jones Jr. to sign with the team that the Mavs had just defeated in the first round of the 2024 Playoffs. One of the main factors in the Mavs’ series victory was Jones Jr.
It appears like Jones Jr. will start every game for the Clippers because of the 3-4 defensive role that he enjoyed hearing about. Jones Jr. didn’t start ten of the 76 games that he participated in during the Dallas regular season last year.
Before the start of free agency, it was unclear whether Paul George would rejoin the Clippers; now that George has left, perhaps Jones Jr. was more interested in joining the team. However, if Dallas wins more games in the future season, they will have an opportunity to get revenge on Jones Jr.
The Mavs have reason to celebrate as they added players to strengthen their roster. The team signed Naji Marshall to a three-year deal, traded for Quentin Grimes from the Pistons, and executed a sign-and-trade for Klay Thompson.
Given Dallas’ focus on Thompson in the free agency market, it’s possible that Jones Jr. anticipated starting in Los Angeles and desired a more significant role. Although Marshall appears to be able to duplicate some of Jones Jr.’s defensive ferocity, it certainly appears that way.
The Mavs still have a decent chance of winning games the next season, even with the loss of Jones Jr. via free agency. After a defeat in the Finals, the team will be fired up and eager to get retribution.
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