2018 NBA free agency grades: Heat bringing back Derrick Jones Jr.
After a stint that lasted less than 20 games, the Miami Heat have agreed to bring back high-flyer Derrick Jones Jr. on a two-year deal.
In a move that may not stop the presses, Derrick Jones Jr. has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth $3.2 million with the Miami Heat per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Jones was picked up by Miami after being waived by the Phoenix Suns this past November and would go on to appear in 14 games for the Heat.
In those 14 games, the 21-year-old put up below average numbers of 3.7 points and 2.4 boards in 15.1 minutes of action per game.
Heat have signed Derrick Jones Jr. to a two-year, $3.16M minimum-salary standard NBA contract. The first-year is fully guaranteed (at $1.51M) and the second-year is initially non-guaranteed (at $1.65M), per @flasportsbuzz.
— Albert Nahmad (@AlbertNahmad) July 1, 2018
If the name Derrick Jones Jr. sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve seen him fairly recently in the 2017 Slam Dunk contest, finishing second behind Glenn Robinson III.
Given the nickname “Airplane Mode” for his roughly 46-inch vertical leap, Jones can fly with the best of them, leading to some pretty ridiculous dunks that awaken whatever arena the man is playing in.
It’s with this type of athleticism that makes Jones a potential terror on the fast break, as not even the best of shot-blockers could get up with this man.
Unfortunately, the Heat were a team that ranked 26th in pace this past season, virtually taking away the one thing Jones brings to a basketball court.
Measured at 6’6” with lanky arms that stretch out to 6’11”, Jones should look to translate his gift towards the defensive end, a place where he hasn’t done much since breaking into the league in 2016, never posting a defensive rating below 109 with his two teams.
Despite playing out on the perimeter, Jones hasn’t flashed anything that resembles a consistent outside shot. While he’s taken less than one 3-pointer a night over the course of his career, he’s still managed to convert on just 20.7 percent of his shots.
If you’re going to get playing time in today’s NBA, you need to be able to shoot.
The Heat are not a team loaded with snipers, which means they can’t afford to give someone minutes who can’t help them in that area. Jones’ inability to space the floor will make him a liability should he ever get playing time down in South Beach.
For all the enticement that Jones may bring to the table, bringing him back makes little sense for Miami, even on such a short deal. The Heat could have anywhere from 5-8 players that can play Jones’ position depending on free agency, leaving little room for development for the UNLV product.
With Jones, Heat with quite the stockpile at shooting guard, as Wade word awaits. Among options at two: Dion Waiters, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson. Rodney McGruder, Derrick Jones Jr., and possible Wayne Ellington and Wade, as well. That would be seven twos for a 15-man roster.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 1, 2018
This isn’t a team that likes to get out and run. They enjoy a slower, grind-it-out style of play, which clearly doesn’t suit a guy like DJJ, who’s always looking for a chance to throw down a nasty slam.
Maybe the Heat simply wanted to take a flier on Jones. After all, his athleticism isn’t something one can obtain; it’s a gift from the basketball gods.
At $1.5 million, Jones’ contract clearly won’t break the bank, but it does take up a roster spot, one that could’ve possibly gone to a more productive player, or at least one who better fits Miami’s game plan better.
For a team looking to rise the ranks in what is now a fairly open Eastern Conference, Jones doesn’t help this team fix its flaws in any shape or form, making this deal a fairly underwhelming one.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Grade: C-