The Dallas Mavericks can return to the Western Conference Finals with just one victory. Derrick Jones Jr. has been one of the team’s biggest discoveries; his defense, tenacity, rim-running prowess, and capacity to make outside baskets have greatly aided the Mavs’ postseason progress.
In Game 5, he had possibly the finest postseason performance of his career, going for 19 points on 7-9 shooting to help Dallas defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road. Previous performances from the undrafted forward have been vital for the team, as other players have struggled.
Given his value to the Mavs, Jones Jr. could expect a larger contract in free agency. The good news for the group and its supporters is that he is said to have declared his desire to return.
Derrick Jones Jr. chose wisely when he declined to sign a contract with the Boston Celtics.
Dallas pulled off a major coup in the 2023 offseason when they signed Jones Jr. to a one-year minimum contract. After a haphazard time with the Chicago Bulls, where he was used in a variety of lines and even at small-ball center, he was leaving the team.
Jones Jr. made the decision to join the Mavericks in search of a new beginning. Nonetheless, it appears that other organizations, like the Bulls and Phoenix Suns, were interested in hiring him. The Mavs and the Boston Celtics were the final two teams that Aaron Turner, his agent, and the eight-year veteran decided to pursue, The Athletic (subscription required) reported.
Given that they had the best record at the end of the regular season and were the first club to make it to the conference finals, the Celtics would have been a wise decision. What function he would have had with them is unclear, though.
If it weren’t for an absurd rule that disqualified him, he would have advanced to the starting lineup for the Mavericks and earned a berth on the All-Defensive teams. Given the significant role he has acquired with the Mavericks and the likelihood that he will earn himself a lucrative contract later this summer, choosing to join the Mavs over the Celtics was probably the smart move.
Given that the game will take place at American Airlines Center on Friday, Dallas has a strong probability of defeating the Thunder. Furthermore, it has discovered a potent tool to counter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the runner-up for MVP. Jones Jr. has matched up against Gilgeous-Alexander the most on defense during the playoffs, restricting him to 33.3 percent shooting, according to NBA.com’s matchup data.
Whether the Mavericks can defeat Oklahoma City in Game 6 and secure their second trip to the Western Conference Finals in three years is still up in the air.
To learn more about Derrick Jones Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks, keep reading.
Leave a Reply