Clippers reportedly agree to three-year deal with free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr.
The 27-year-old forward averaged a career-high 8.6 points.
The LA Clippers and free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr. have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract, as first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Sunday night. No options in the deal for Jones.
The franchise quickly pivoted after news broke earlier in the day that forward Paul George was set to depart the team in free agency.
The 27-year-old Jones averaged a career-high 8.6 points for the Dallas Mavericks this past season while shooting 34.3 percent on 3.1 three-point attempts per game. Jones, known for his high-flying nature, was a dunk machine, notching 62 slams for the Mavericks. Only center Ivica Zubac (112) and star forward Kawhi Leonard (76) had more among Clippers players last season.
Jones starred against the Clippers in the first-round series this past season between L.A. and Dallas, averaging 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds while giving Paul George all sorts of trouble on the defensive end.
The forward took part of the Clippers’ non-taxpayer mid-level exception, leaving roughly $3.3 million on the table for the Clippers to use should they find another free agent that they’re willing to spend it on who wants a little bit more than the minimum-level contract offers that could be out there.
Jones split his time last season at both small forward and power forward with the Mavericks. However, before he arrived in Dallas, Jones played power forward for the Chicago Bulls. Jones gives the Clippers much-needed flexibility on the floor positionally and cap-wise while supplying the superior youth and athleticism that the franchise was looking for.
This developing story will be updated with more details as they become available.
