The Pistons and Bulls are among the teams expected to have interest in free agent Heat swingman Derrick Jones this offseason, a source tells Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
Jackson also identifies Atlanta as a potential suitor for Jones, which is something we’ve heard before. Shams Charania reported last week that Jones is expected to receive interest from the Hawks, Cavaliers, and Hornets, among other clubs.
Jones is coming off a season in which he averaged 8.5 PPG and 3.9 RPG in 59 games (23.3 MPG) for the eventual Eastern Conference champions. He’s also a strong perimeter defender, having held the opponents he guarded in 2019/20 to a field goal percentage of just 40.8%, according to Jackson.
Jones fell out of Miami’s rotation during the postseason, but Jackson explains that a number of factors played a part in that decision. Health was a big one, as Jones contracted COVID-19 in June, suffered a neck injury in a scary fall during the seeding games, then sprained his ankle in the first round of the playoffs. Erik Spoelstra‘s decision to ride veterans Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala as he shortened his rotation also helped push Jones out of the mix.
The Heat’s top priorities in free agency this fall figure to be re-signing Crowder and Goran Dragic to new deals, and it’s possible Jones’ role reduction in the playoffs will dampen his enthusiasm for a reunion with the club. If that’s the case, he should have plenty of options, as Charania’s and Jackson’s report suggest. His next contract seems unlikely to exceed the mid-level, so over-the-cap teams will be in play.
While I expect Jones to generate interest from some playoff teams, it’s probably not a coincidence that all of his reported suitors so far are younger clubs coming off lottery seasons. At age 23, the former UNLV standout projects to be one of the NBA’s youngest unrestricted free agents this offseason, and he’ll likely have a better chance of playing a regular role on a roster that’s not loaded with veterans.
What kind of contract is he going to get? I’m sure it’ll be multiyear, but will he exceed the mid-level? Seems like a candidate for an 8 figure salary, but not sure how much above $10m he’d go. It’s hard to figure out how the league values him.
10 Million? No way. 7 maybe.
He’s a guy who I think would be a strong candidate to be overpaid in a normal year. Not sure it happens this year when money is tighter, but it wouldn’t shock me if he got the full mid-level from someone (also wouldn’t be shocked if he got half that — this offseason is hard to get a read on).
The team that gets him will have buyers remorse if they pay him more then 6 mill annually
The HEAT molded him into what he does best – good on-the-ball defense, good help defense instincts & disruptive hands upfront when they play zone …….. aside from the athletic things he does from time to time.
DJJ is very limited offensively …….. he did develop his 3-point shooting somewhat, but nothing special.
About 6-8M should be a fair deal for him.
link to tradenba.com
Bledsoe to Pistons
Graham to Bucks
Kennard & Bucks 2020 1st Round to Hornets
Bucks get better 3 pt shooting from starting PG + clear cap
Pistons Big 3 – Griffin, Rose and Bledsoe – tough backcourt
Hornets – Young 2 guard + another pick to play with
Why would the Hornets trade argueably the most improved player this year. He went from like 4 points per game to 18 in his rookie year to his second season. Especially for Kennard (1year left on his deal) and a terrible first round pick.
Secondly why would the pistons want Bledsloe and DRose considering they play the same position. Not to mention that big 3 won’t even make the playoffs, in recent years they have traded away/got rid of Drummond, KCP, Harris and Jackson which means they are probably about to start tanking for a while.
Thirdly for the Bucks you get Graham’s shooting and potential but they are a win now team and Bledsloe is better. He’s a solid defender and role player.
I’ve heard rumours that the bucks are trying Bledsloe for Oladipo type deals. Oladipo Middleton Giannis would be a solid big 3.
If Bucks want to dump Bledsoe and not have Hill as their startling PG then they need a PG. Both Rose and Graham have 1 year left on their contract. CHA has Rozier at PG and he played well. Oladipo would put them in worse cap position and he is coming off severe injury. Kennard’s avg 16 ppg and hit 40% on 3s and he upgrades their 2 spot plus CHA gets another pick.
Two to three years at less than mid-level, or one at mid-level are the only two options that make sense for DJJ.
Maybe the Heat decide they want him back for 1yr at $10mil, or however far above the mid-level they’d have to offer..
Jones kept making mental errors in the playoffs. I think when interest by the Cavs was first mentioned, the playoffs were not underway yet.
Not everyone who changed status in Orlando, got elevated!
Yup, DJJ made iffy mistakes, the few minutes Spo gave him.
With playoff games being tight, those kinds of mistakes will make you sit down fast.
DJJ will probably be among the roster casualty this offseason for the HEAT – much like McGruder last year.
The good thing, HEAT always have an assembly line of these lengthy defensive players.
If DJJ goes, some more spot minutes for Silva & maybe, Okpala, next season.
Derrick Jones Jr to the Blazers.
His youth, defence and athleticism would fit well with Lillard, McCollum and Nurkic.
Not to mention they have Whitesides huge deal coming off the books