Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has expressed his desire to improve the team’s roster for the upcoming season. He wants every player to come back “10 to 15 percent better” than last year. Despite reaching the NBA Finals, the Mavericks couldn’t compete at the same level as the Boston Celtics. The team is looking to make some changes to their rotation, and the only player not currently under contract is Derrick Jones Jr. The Mavericks are prioritizing re-signing Jones because he fits well with the team and has shown significant improvement.
Jones signed a veteran’s minimum deal with the Mavericks last year and has proven himself on the court. He played more minutes than ever before in his regular season career and started in 88 out of 98 total games. However, he faltered slightly in the finals due to his offensive limitations. Despite this, Jones’ athleticism helped propel the team’s offense and his ability to guard opposing perimeter stars was crucial. Jones and his agent have indicated that they want to re-sign with Dallas, and it seems likely that this will happen.
However, the Mavericks have been exploring other options in case they can’t re-sign Jones. They have been monitoring players like Naji Marshall from the New Orleans Pelicans and Isaac Okoro from the Cleveland Cavaliers as possible contingency plans. They have also shown interest in Jerami Grant from the Portland Trail Blazers, although there is no indication that Portland is actively seeking a trade.
The Mavericks’ front office is determined to continue improving the team despite their successful season falling short of their goal. They have been proactive in their team-building approach and are not complacent. If they re-sign Jones, it could be a move that bolsters the team’s internal development. In addition, the acquisition of Quentin Grimes in a trade with the Detroit Pistons could also contribute to the team’s improvement. Grimes is a prolific 3-point shooter and has on-ball and defensive abilities that could benefit the Mavericks.
While the Mavericks may still explore other options in the offseason, they are comfortable with their current core and want to make strategic decisions rather than acting out of desperation. Re-signing Jones would be a step in the right direction for the team.