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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 reasons to love the Derrick Jones Jr signing

By Stevie Cozens

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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At the start of free agency, the Portland Trail Blazers signed Derrick Jones Jr to a two-year $19 million deal. Here are 3 reasons why we love this signing.

The Portland Trail Blazers signed free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr to a two-year $21 million deal when free agency opened. Adding this deal to the trade for Robert Covington and then bringing Enes Kanter into the trade exception, the Blazers have had a massive start to free agency.

They have significantly upgraded their roster with four excellent moves, and the signing for Jones Jr with their midlevel exception is a big one.

Here are three reasons why we love the signing of Derrick Jones Jr.

Defense

This is the best part of Jones’ game, and he comes into a Blazers defense that was one of the worst in the NBA in the 2019/20 season. Ranked 27th last season, this team couldn’t get stops when it counted.

Firstly, they had injuries to key defensive personnel, and then the personnel they had left were negative defenders. By adding Covington and then Jones, they have two of the best forward role-playing defenders in the league.

Jones has the rare skill of being able to defend positions two through four. At a pinch, he can defend some point guards, and as he puts on muscle, he may be able to defend some centers.

His six-foot-six frame, combined with a huge seven-foot-wingspan, means he can move up and down positions and perform in a switching system if need be.

Though he is just 210 pounds now, if he could put on a bit more muscle, he could potentially defend some fives.

Jones versatility is also as a help defender. He is one of only a select few forwards who sits near the top of the league for steals and blocks. In the 2019/20 season, he was in the 91st and 87th percentile when it came to blocks and steals.

His length, quickness, and leaping ability mean he has a multi-faceted skillset on that end of the court. He will greatly help the Blazers improve their defense.