Derrick Jones Jr.’s honest stance on Mavericks future

The Dallas Mavericks are amid an intense second-round battle in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Dallas’ series with the Oklahoma City Thunder will go down as one of the most memorable of the 2024 postseason. Of course, the Mavs might not have made it as far without Derrick Jones Jr. Jones could get a new deal ahead of the 2024 NBA free agency period, and a close associate revealed his thoughts on staying in Dallas.

Jones’s agent, Aaron Turner, gave a bright outlook on the forward’s future with the Mavericks.

“He loves his teammates, he loves Jason Kidd, he really likes the front office, (Mavericks president) Nico (Harrison) and Matt Riccardi. He wants to be back,” Turner revealed, per The Athletic.

Derrick Jones Jr.’s willingness to return to the Mavericks is a positive sign. Re-signing the coveted forward to a new contract during the NBA free agency period will likely be one of  Dallas’ top priorities. It would make sense for Jones to return, given his seamless fit on the team.

Jones joined the Mavericks in August of 2023 after a two-year stint with the Chicago Bulls. The high-flying forward has had some of the best production of his career since signing with Dallas. Jones averaged a career-high 8.6 points and 0.7 steals per game in 23.4 minutes of action during the regular season. He also shot a career-best 34.3 percent on three-pointers.

Jones has emerged as a serviceable defender for the Mavericks. At 6’6″ with a 7’0″ wingspan, he is tough to score on and provides versatility that allows the Mavs more flexibility with matchups. Most fans know the athletic forward for his electric dunking ability, which he has shown no shortage of during his time with Dallas.

If all goes well, Jones could have a long-term future with the Mavs. In the meantime, he and his team will try to advance to the next round of the NBA Playoffs.

Derrick Jones Jr., Mavericks look to get past troublesome Thunder 

Dallas is approaching a pivotal Game 5 matchup with the Thunder. The series has been back and forth, with each team trading wins. After taking a 2-1 lead in Game 3, the Mavericks fell 100-96 in a series-tying Game 4 effort from OKC.

Naturally, Dallas is having trouble containing 2023-24 NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points in Game 4. Nevertheless, the Mavs have two of the best scorers in the NBA on their team as well.

Luka Doncic leads Dallas’ attack with all-around offensive prowess. He did not score up to his potential in Game 4 but did nearly everything else on the court. Doncic is coming off a triple-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists ahead of Game 5. The star guard is dealing with knee and ankle issues, but hopefully, he can manage his pain and stay healthy.

Doncic has stellar help with Kyrie Irving. Irving can score with ease and uses an arsenal of moves to catch defenders off balance. The star guard had somewhat of a letdown showing in Game 4, scoring just nine points in 41 minutes. He looks to return strong for the next crucial matchup.

Can Derrick Jones Jr. and the Mavericks overcome the tough Thunder and regain the series lead on Wednesday night?