Damian Lillard pairing three – Derrick Jones Jr.
Derrick Jones Jr. may have the highest upside of any player on the free-agent market come 2020. Though he didn’t play a big role for the Miami Heat in the 2019/20 playoffs, Jones has an elite set of skills that, at just 23, make him an intriguing fit on many playoff teams.
He is one of the most athletic players in the NBA and is six-foot-six with a big seven-foot wingspan. Jones has the rare ability to guard positions two through four and has some of the best help instincts in the league also.
His shooting game is still developing, but he has the touch to be a plus offensive player as an off the ball guy in the right development system.
Jones is great at cutting, catching lobs, and drawing fouls. He also averages 2.4 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, one of the best rates for a non-big in the NBA.
It was reported in October that the Heat are only willing to offer Jones a one-year deal, as they want to preserve their cap space for 2021.
Because he guards two – four, he has been listed as a wing on Cleaning the Glass, but as his body develops, I see Jones as a combo forward.
He would be an excellent fit on the Blazers, as he could play the three and four, benefitting from the spacing that Dame, CJ McCollum, and Gary Trent Jr. provide.
If a multi-year deal at the mid-level exception were enough for him, I would offer all of it to him. He could provide production and energy in the regular season, being an above the rim presence that this Blazers team hasn’t had in years.
Damian Lillard needs two-way play alongside him as the Blazers look to get back to the conference finals for only the second time in 20 years. Any of these three options could help round this roster out.