Preconceived notions were not part of Derrick Jones Jr.’s thinking when he signed as a free agent with the Mavericks.
His arrival was met with a cold, hard fact even before he got to Dallas.
And it was nothing he hasn’t heard before.
“The conversation I had with coach (Jason) Kidd was that if I was to sign here in free agency, I had to come in and work for everything,” Jones said in Memphis, where the Mavericks spanked the Grizzlies 125-110 Monday night. “I told him that’s what I’ve been doing my whole career. I’ve never been handed anything.
“I came into the league undrafted, got waived off my first contract and had to sign a two-way. Made my way back onto a regular contract. Signed my big deal when I signed with Portland. But I never was given anything. I always had to work for everything in my career.”
So why would this be any different, right?
All Jones has done is work his way into the starting lineup on a provisional basis for the season opener last week. The Mavericks haven’t lost since, going 3-0 to start the season for the first time since 2004-05.
In his eight NBA season and only 26 years old, Jones had visions when he signed with the Mavericks, even if he had no guarantees.
“No, I wasn’t 100 percent expecting to start,” he said. “But I was expecting myself to come in here and give myself the best opportunity to be on the floor either as a starter or not, just to be on the floor playing meaningful minutes.”
Jones had just five points and no three-pointers in the first two games. But at Memphis, he uncorked a gem with 22 points, hitting four-of-six three-pointers.
It wasn’t necessarily a validation of him being a starter, but it showcased his overall skills, which are plentiful.
All that said, he knows the role he’s in now probably is fluid. Just ask Kidd.
“We had a different preseason than anybody with health, with travel,” Kidd said. “So we’re still getting to know him. We want to see how he handles starting. Right now he’s doing a good job.
“We’ll bring him off the bench at some point to see how he handles that. He’s a pro. He’s about the team. We’re really lucky to have him.”
It wasn’t until the Memphis game that the athletic, 6-5 Jones was able to showcase his shooting ability. It’s something that he’s worked hard on since arriving in the league.
“I’ve taken the shots I’ve gotten and I haven’t hit any shots really,” he said – before busting out against the Grizzlies. “But that’s not going to stop me from shooting the shots. I know I’m a very good shooter at this point in my career. I’ll take the shots when they’re there.
“I’m happy we’re winning. If the shots ain’t falling, but we’re getting the W, I’m good with it.”
Shot-making, while nice, is something that Jones’ job won’t depend on, Kidd said.
“I don’t think he came into the league as a shooter, but he’s worked on his three and you could see that tonight (in Memphis),” he said. “There’s going to be nights when he makes them and nights when he doesn’t. But it’s about his competitiveness that we’re watching.
“With Luka and Kai, everyone’s going to get open shots. It’s just a matter of being consistent and we all trust that D-Jones is going to do that. And he did tonight.”
Playing with Dončić is something that Jones is learning to love, not that he had any doubts about that.
But he’s enjoying finding out how the other half lives.
“It’s wonderful,” Jones said. “I got to say, it’s phenomenal. One-hundred percent so happy that I’m here playing with him and I don’t have to guard that anymore.”
Especially when Jones is receiving one of Luka’s full-court passes as he leaks out for an easy layup. Those are the kind of plays that get a teammate on your good side. And it works both ways.
Luka has said that, if you run, you will be rewarded.
Jones was the beneficiary of two of those long passes against the Grizzlies.
And Jones has been impressed with an unexpected bit of good fortune since he got with the Mavericks. He never expected to become good friends and high-five partners with the owner of the team.
“It’s love, honestly. I love being here,” he said. “The guys are great, the coaching staff is great, the organization is great, the front office is great. I love it here.
“I’ve never been with a team where the owner is around as much as Mark (Cuban). I love it. And his energy is unmatched. He has the energy of a 19-year-old teenager. I love the energy. You never see stuff like that in this league. It’s different.”
And so is Jones, who is looking for recognition in his career that he really hasn’t gotten thus far, despite winning the slam-dunk contest in 2020.
That athleticism is what the Mavericks crave.
“He’s one of those guys who can guard everyone,” Kidd said. “He’s someone who is a capable three-point shooter, he’s a slasher. He’s a roller, he’s a playmaker out of the roll. So he can do a lot of different things and he can guard one through five.”
Which is what the Mavericks need in their starting lineup – at least, for now.
X: @ESefko
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