Miami Heat: 3 potential suitors for Derrick Jones Jr.

By Simon Smith | Jun 8, 2020

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat on the court between plays against the Orlando Magic in the third quarter at Amway Center on January 03, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

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Miami Heat (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

It’s been yet another year of disappointment for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After kicking off the season with a highly encouraging 10-8 record, the Timberwolves rapidly fell back down to earth with an 11-game losing streak, ultimately ending with a 19-45 record before the season was of course interrupted.

Granted, the 12-game absence of All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns shortly after this hot start certainly didn’t help matters. And then there was the midseason roster upheaval, with multiple trades resulting in the arrival of D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and James Johnson. So while the overall offensive talent on the roster is more than serviceable, the defensive end of the story is another story altogether.

Related Story. Heat: Team should not push for another All-Star trade soon. light

Ryan Saunders on what needs to change:

"Our defense should not waver like that. I thought we had too many unacceptable defensive possessions last night as a group. That’s in transition, getting outrun by guys."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) January 23, 2020

For the sixth straight season, the Timberwolves ranked in the bottom 10 in defensive rating, while also finishing 28th in allowing the opposition to score 117.5 points per game. This is where Jones comes into the equation.

At 6’6″ and possessing the ability to defend multiple positions, Jones would make for a welcome addition, especially after departure midseason of swingman Robert Covington. With the $18.6 million contract of Evan Turner coming off the books, the Wolves are set to have some valuable cap space in the offseason and should be one of the more active participants in the free agency period.

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