After bouncing around the NBA with stints at the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, and Chicago Bulls, undrafted free agent out of UNLV, Derrick Jones Jr., found a home with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2023-24 season. As a journeyman forward, he became a key rotational player on an NBA Finals team.
Jones Jr. joined the Mavericks on a one-year, $2.7 million veteran minimum contract after declining his $3.36 million option with the Bulls. Under Jason Kidd’s coaching, he played the most significant role of his career, starting a career-high 66 games out of 76 regular-season appearances. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals-plus-blocks per game. Although his three-point shooting was slightly below the NBA average at 34.3%, his attempts per game almost doubled from 1.3 in 2022-23 to 3.1 for the Mavericks. This increased offensive output, combined with his role as Dallas’ top defensive wing, made him a fan favorite in Big D.
Despite having the option to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr. using the mid-level exception (MLE) on a contract worth approximately three years and $27 million, the Dallas Mavericks saw Jones Jr. choose to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. This decision prompted the Mavericks to use their MLE on Naji Marshall, another versatile forward who had an impressive stint with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Marshall, an undrafted free agent from Xavier, brings similar defensive versatility as a hybrid wing. He is coming off his best shooting season, hitting 38.7% of his shots from deep on 2.3 attempts per game. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Jones Jr. was initially the Mavericks’ priority, and they turned to Marshall only as a Plan B. The Mavericks also signed Klay Thompson and traded for Quentin Grimes as part of their offseason moves.
Losing Jones Jr. over a relatively small average annual value (AAV) difference—around $1 million—might seem questionable for a team that was just three wins away from an NBA championship. However, the decision might not have been solely about the money. Considering California’s taxes, Jones Jr. might not have secured a significantly larger contract. The move likely came down to the opportunity for a bigger role with the Clippers, especially after Paul George’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. With the Mavericks loading up on talent this offseason, Jones Jr. might not have been guaranteed the same significant role he played the previous season.
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