Despite coming off a 127-116 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks have played well to open the 2023-24 season, owning a 6-2 record after eight games.
One notable member of Dallas' success so far this season is veteran forward Derrick Jones Jr., who has started all eight games for the Mavs and has made a positive impact on both ends of the floor.
Through eight games, Jones Jr. is averaging a career-high 8.9 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting a career-high 38.7 percent from 3-point range in 22 minutes per game.
Following Wednesday night's loss, Mavs coach Jason Kidd shared his thoughts on how the eight-year veteran has played so far this season.
"Derrick is a pro. He can play with stars. He can play with anybody," Kidd said. "He understands how to play the game on both ends, defensively. He's shooting the 3 well for us. He's going to be open a lot of times just because Kai [Kyrie Irving] and Luka [Doncic] are going to pull the double team. So far early here in the season, he's been able to knock them down."
When the Mavs signed Jones Jr. to a one-year deal in mid-August, most may have presumed the veteran forward to play a small role for Dallas this season as more of a spot role player and leader in the locker room. And yet, Jones Jr.'s versatility on both ends clearly caught the eye from not just Kidd and the coaching staff, but No. 77 as well.
"He's fitting great," Doncic said. "Obviously matching this game, or every game he's participated in he doesn't complain about anything, whether he gets shots or doesn't get shots. I'm really glad he's on our team."
That's exactly the kind of endorsement you want to hear from your team's superstar player. If Doncic is 'glad' that you're on his team, you're clearly doing something right.
For Jones Jr. to supplant himself in the starting lineup after the Mavs extended Josh Green with a three-year, $41 million contract just two days before the start of the regular season says a lot about his impact on this team.
"He understands his role. He's a pro," Kidd said. "[He] comes to work every day. We like what he's doing so far."
If Jones Jr. can continue this kind of production on both ends of the floor, Dallas will have turned a one-year flier into an important piece to their puzzle for the season.
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