In 2024, Derrick Jones Jr. was signed to a three-year contract worth $30 million. For the last two seasons, he has done nothing but show he’s on the best contract in the league. The LA Clippers can count on him to hit three-pointers at a high rate, play stellar defense on the opposing team’s best players, and even fill a higher role if he gets injured. These contributions are common among guys making double, if not more than, the 29-year-old.
So far this season, Jones Jr. is doing it again, showing the Clippers just how fortunate they are to have him on his salary. Through five games, the veteran wing is averaging 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, shooting 60.5% from the field and 60.0% from beyond the arc.
It’s also worth noting he is the Clippers’ best player at the moment. That’s saying something, as Darius Garland is scoring the rock at a career-high level, Keaton Wagler is one of the league’s top rookies, and Kris Dunn is playing out of his mind on the defensive side of the ball.
Derrick Jones Jr. is playing like he’s worth far more than $10.4 million
Despite the 1-4 start to the year, Derrick Jones Jr. has been on his A-game for the LA Clippers. As always, Jones Jr. is playing phenomenally above the rim, dunking/finishing everything that comes his way. But now he’s added a lethal jumper to his game, as if it wasn’t already excellent.
Above, we covered his numbers. However, to put into perspective how dominant Jones Jr. is from long distance, the only player in the entire NBA with a higher three-point percentage than him is Cedric Coward (min. 20 attempts).
While it might be early, the bottom line is that Jones Jr. has evolved into one of the best spot-up shooters in basketball. This is the fruit of all the work he put in over the summer.
On defense, he has faced tough matchups in just five games, including Darius Acuff Jr., Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
According to Hoopology, a tool that calculates matchup statistics, Jones Jr. held these three to a combined 7-for-22 shooting. He also forced two turnovers against Doncic.
All things considered, this type of two-way production is an absolute steal for the Clippers. They only owe him $10 million this season, which is laughable given how low it is, especially with the market as it is.
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