It’s finally done. Kawhi Leonard is gone, and in return, the LA Clippers received a bunch of picks, Brandon Ingram, and Gradey Dick. With the Leonard era officially over, some fans and members of the NBA community may be wondering: what do the Clippers do now? Well, Lawrence Frank’s next move is clear as day: trade Derrick Jones Jr., a 29-year-old wing entering the last year of his contract.
This is a decision that won’t be easy, as Jones Jr. is currently one of the best players on the roster. He brings elite three-point shooting, athleticism, finishing, and defense, but because he is extremely valuable, the Clippers could benefit in the future, which is the primary focus, by moving on.
In fact, a handful of teams would be lined up, ready to wage a bidding war for the seasoned veteran.
Derrick Jones Jr. would be able to bring in draft capital for the Clippers
As many know, Derrick Jones Jr. is, hands down, a high-end role player. He shows up on a nightly basis, gives the game ridiculously strong contributions on both ends, and is never seen complaining on the sidelines.
Last season, Jones Jr. averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks, shooting 49.9% from the floor and 35.9% from beyond the arc. These numbers hint at how phenomenal he was in just 27 minutes a night.
Additionally, what makes Jones Jr. so valuable is his income. He’s in the prime of his career playing for just $10.4 million.
This type of production, compared to his salary, is seldom nowadays, especially with how high the market is. There are wings in the NBA, on the same level, getting paid twice what Jones Jr. is making on an annual basis.
Therefore, on the trade market, the Clippers could easily list the starting price on Jones Jr. at an unprotected first-round pick.
Though Lawrence Frank might be able to get more through some negotiation, obtaining at least one, particularly in the near future, helps the organization out a ton.
That said, shipping off Jones Jr. would solely be a business decision. No one wants to part ways with him willingly, but still going through with it is the ideal first move after trading Kawhi Leonard.
LA needs to stack as much draft capital as they can on top of each other, and giving up Jones Jr. does just that.
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