The Dallas Mavericks have had a busy offseason bringing in three new players and still having an open roster spot. Part of their offseason was signing Naji Marshall away from the New Orleans Pelicans once it became apparent Derrick Jones Jr. wouldn’t return. Instead, he signed a 3-year, $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jones Jr. spoke with reporters at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and was asked why he chose the Clippers. “I talked to the ownership, the front office, and the coaching staff. The route they were looking to go to was towards me and have me come in there and fill that 3/4 role, be aggressive offensively, and be who I am defensively. Go out there and try and win a championship.”
The Clippers had to look elsewhere after losing Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. They re-signed James Harden and added Jones Jr. and Nic Batum. Some anticipated that they would run it back and make some tweaks here and there after falling to the Mavericks in six games in the first round of the playoffs, but they were unable to reach an understanding with George, who was hoping to extend his contract for a fourth year.
Dallas extended an offer to Jones Jr. that was identical to Naji Marshall’s three-year, $27 million contract. Jones will truly make less money than Marshall after taxes, but he had an easier time getting started with the Clippers. With Klay Thompson and Marshall joining the Mavericks, it
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