BREAKING: Derrick Jones Jr. Leaves Dallas Mavs, Signs with LA Clippers; Details
When the Dallas Mavericks agreed to terms with former New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall on Sunday night, it was safe to assume that Derrick Jones Jr.'s days in Big D were likely over.
That assumption proved to be true, as The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that Jones plans to sign a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers–the team the Mavs defeated in the first round of the playoffs en route to an NBA Finals appearance.
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After learning that Marshall agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract with the Mavs, we wondered if GM Nico Harrison and the front office pivoted so quickly from Jones because another team was willing to pay him a lot more money. However, after seeing both contracts essentially being the same, we now have to take an educated guess that Jones chose to move on because the Mavs couldn't guarantee him a starting position anymore.
The Mavs are currently pursuing four-time champion and future Hall-of-Fame sharpshooter Klay Thompson through a potential sign-and-trade with the Golden State Warriors. If Dallas can secure his commitment, Thompson would certainly be a starter alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, which would've moved Jones to the bench had he stuck around.
Jones was a key defensive ace for Dallas in its run to the finals, starting every game in the postseason and averaging 9.1 points while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and 36.9 percent from beyond the arc. The Mavs will miss Jones, but adding a similar forward in Marshall for around the same price should help ease the pain.
