DALLAS — With the NBA Finals pitting the Dallas Mavericks against the Boston Celtics, Game 1 begins Thursday at TD Garden, Derrick Jones Jr. could continue his impressive season that began after he signed a prove-it contract in August and eventually emerge as a full-time starting wing on a team with a chance to win a title.
Jones also had the option to join the Celtics before signing with the Mavericks. “It's kind of weird playing in the NBA Finals against the team I could have gone to, but I'm really glad I made that decision,” Jones said.
Jones declined a $3.4 million player option with the Chicago Bulls to become a free agent and choose a new team to boost his future income. His final options included the Celtics and Mavericks, but he then signed with Dallas, signing a one-year, $2.7 million contract. He averaged 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17 playoff games while shooting 49.2% from the field and 39.6% from 3-point range while guarding the top offensive players.
“Obviously, it would have been much better,” Jones said. “Even if I had taken up my player option in Chicago, I probably would have been on a team that wasn't in the playoffs right now. I was willing to take a chance on myself and I took a little bit of money to come here, but money wasn't an issue… I just wanted an opportunity to get on the court and show what I could do, and I got that.”
Before Jones signed with the Mavericks, he had a conversation with head coach Jason Kidd, who told him he had to earn everything he had. “He told me if I got here I had to work for everything,” he said. “And I did.
The Mavericks have established a strong defensive culture this season, and Jones' offensive point defense has played a key role in that process. He has singlehandedly guarded some of the NBA's best offensive players during playoff games, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, James Harden and Paul George. His athleticism and ability to move around the half-court defensively also add great value.
“When you talk about D. Jones, it's not just one thing, it's his character, the kind of person he is. He's committed to playing the game the right way,” Kidd said of Jones. “He was given an opportunity and he made the most of it. He never complained, he performed at a high level and he really appreciated the opportunity.”
“When you talk to him and get to know him, his message is very consistent. He just wants to win and be a part of the team. He's definitely a part of the team,” Kidd explained. “He's helped the team win, so we're very fortunate to have him, whether we signed him first or last. Going into free agency, he's become a big part of the culture at the Mavs. We'll talk about defense, but he's also a high-percentage 3-point shooter and he's just athletic. And we joked at the beginning of the season that now he can be on the layup line. We have a guy who can dunk, and he's part of the team with that athleticism.”
Jones is ready for the challenge of guarding the Celtics' top offensive players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. “They're good offensive players,” he said. “Like I said before, [previous] We’re just going to try and keep them out of their spots and limit the shots they like to take in this series.”
Assuming Jones continues to have the impact he has had throughout the postseason, the Mavericks will have a much better chance of winning the NBA Finals, which would give Jones the prospect of maxing out his prove-it contract and hitting free agency.
read more: Mavs Exclusive: Derrick Jones Jr. prefers his natural role
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