The Mavericks signed 6-5 Derrick Jones Jr. with their 15th and final available contract slot last week, but he is far from a 15th man.
He also is more than simply a great dunker, although his still-superior athleticism is one of the reasons the Mavericks acquired the 2020 slam-dunk contest winner.
He’s entering his eighth NBA season. In the past five years, he’s averaged 19.3 minutes per game, 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds. He’s also been a terrific shot-blocker-per-minute-played for a swingman.
Add it up and it’s the kind of athletic player that the Mavericks have always needed.