Derrick Jones Jr. keeps making the same case the LA Clippers hoped he would when they signed him to a three-year, $30 million deal in 2024: he is giving them far more than they’re paying for.
Through five games this season, Jones Jr. has been everywhere for the Clippers. He’s averaging 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 60.5% from the field and 60.0% from three. For a player on a salary that sits at $10 million this season, that kind of production stands out immediately.
He’s also been the Clippers’ best player so far, which says plenty considering 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.
Jones Jr. has done what he’s always done around the rim: finish hard, fly above the defense, and turn open lanes into easy points. The new wrinkle is the jumper.
It’s not just respectable anymore; it’s dangerous. In fact, the only player in the NBA with a higher three-point percentage than Jones Jr. right now is Cedric Coward, minimum 20 attempts.
That’s a big reason his value looks so extreme. He’s not just a dunker or a defensive specialist anymore. He’s become one of the best spot-up shooters in basketball, and that development traces back to the work he put in over the summer.
The defensive side has been just as important. In five games, Jones Jr. has drawn difficult assignments against Darius Acuff Jr., Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Per Hoopology, he held those three to a combined 7-for-22 shooting and also forced two turnovers against Doncic.
For the Clippers, that’s the kind of two-way return that feels like a bargain. They owe him $10 million this season, a number that looks even smaller when compared to the current market.
In Other News...
Clippers Just Got A Harsh Look At Golden States New Threat
The Clippers got a first-hand reminder that Golden State may have another young scorer worth tracking in Yaxel Lendeborg. The Warriors rookie put up 37 points against Los Angeles, the highest total by a Golden State rookie since Steph Currys 2009-10 season, and he did it while playing 34 minutes and adding 4 rebounds and 6 assists. For a Clippers team trying to measure itself against the West's better clubs, that kind of breakout from a first-year player stands out.
Steve Kerr did not sound surprised by the burst, and his postgame view only adds to the intrigue around Lendeborgs early rise. The Warriors coach praised what he has already shown while also making clear there is still plenty of room for growth, which is exactly the sort of warning sign opponents do not love hearing in November. For the Clippers, it was a harsh look at a new threat, and perhaps only the first one. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Get A Huge Opening Against A Shorthanded Warriors Team
The Clippers are set to catch a break against Golden State, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green expected to sit out the matchup as the Warriors continue to manage their veterans carefully. Steve Kerr confirmed the plan after consulting with the teams medical staff and the players, keeping the approach centered on rest and recovery rather than pushing either star into another game too soon.
It leaves Los Angeles facing a version of the Warriors that will look different in a meaningful way, even if Golden State still insists on staying competitive through the wear and tear of the season. Curry also addressed Jimmy Butlers ongoing recovery from an ACL injury, a reminder that the Warriors bigger challenge remains balancing health with the need to keep pace while key pieces come and go. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Defensive Problems Exposed Again By Warriors Breakout Night
The Clippers ran into another rough defensive night as Golden State kept rolling, extending its winning streak with a 124-112 result that never really let Los Angeles settle in. The Warriors got a breakout performance from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who was everywhere offensively and set the tone for a group effort that kept the Clippers chasing for much of the night.
DeAnthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski each played important supporting roles, while Charles Bassey, Brandon Williams and Al Horford all chipped in to keep the pressure on. For the Clippers, the bigger concern is less the final margin than the pattern it reflects, with too many opponents finding ways to create clean looks and control stretches of the game against them. [Read more 🡒]