The term breakout was best defined by Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell last season, as the big man debuted on an All-Defensive team, marking that off his bucket list. At the same time, the premier scoring wing secured an elevated role with the Miami Heat in the midst of last week.
Moreover, Derrick Jones Jr., a role player on the LA Clippers, did not have a 2024-25 campaign that would meet the criteria to be considered a breakout, but he did post his best season yet.
In fact, Jones Jr. had several firsts last season, such as stepping over the 24 minutes per game threshold, averaging double figures, posting a three-point percentage of over 35, and career-high games played.
Thus, Tyronn Lue should follow the statistics, as he had a career year the season before with the Dallas Mavericks, and increase the minutes of the former UNLV product to 25 or more. The problem is, Jones Jr. may want something greater, and with one specific improvement, the promotion he has dreamed of will be ringing his doorbell.
Derrick Jones Jr. could start for the Clippers next season with an improved jumper
The LA Clippers' day one starting lineup next season is far from official, and Tyronn Lue will most likely maintain the suspense in the pre-game press conference against the Utah Jazz.
Fans will find out, but it could be minutes before tip-off, and the choices made by Lue could shock everyone based on the approach he takes.
However, everyone projected to be on the bench, like Derrick Jones Jr., may want to start next season, as it is an unbeatable feeling to know that a championship-contending team needs a specific talent to begin the first quarter.
For Jones Jr. to be selected over Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Bradley Beal, he will have to convince Lue in training camp and pre-season that he will produce three-point efficiencies of over forty percent next season.
This would earn him the certification of a '3-and-D' wing, which Lue, and every head coach in the NBA, encourages minutes upon. His stock would also go up, and after next season, the front office may want to offer him an extension.
Thus, improving his three-point percentage by less than five would change his career. This may seem small, but it is not, and the challenge remains nonetheless. Yet, if Jones Jr. really wants to start and earn a higher salary in the future, his only hope is to become better at longer distances.